Expert Office Advice

Vital stats and business information for companies considering relocation to or setting up an office in York.

Located at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss, this city in North Yorkshire is a unitary authority. That is, all local government functions fall under one jurisdiction. York is also home to the University of York and York St. John University.

It used to be that the City of York only referred to what the city walls encompassed. However, in 1 April 1996, the modern City of York was established. It now includes the following districts: Harrogate, Ryedale, and Selby.

Population
181,094

Migration, immigration, ethnic diversity, basic population demographics
• Majority of the population fall under the 30-44 age bracket
• 91.1% of the population were born in England, with about 3.1% coming from other parts of the world
• 95.1% are white British

Unemployment/employment rate
• 61.4% are employed
• 2.5% are unemployed
• The rest of the population are either students, retired, or disabled

Average income/salary
• £22,641 yearly

Location within the UK and closest major location
• Northeast, part of North Yorkshire
• Midway between Edinburgh and London

Transport options to and within
• Well connected to other parts of the country by bus, ferry, air, and train; connected to the motorways
• Community transport within the city

Closest airports with average distance from town/city centre
• Leeds Bradford International Airport: 28.8 miles
• Humberside International Airport: 47.5 miles
• Manchester International Airport: 82.8 miles

Dominating sectors / industries
• Wholesale & retail trade; repair of motor vehicles: 16.8%
• Manufacturing: 12.9%
• Health and Social work: 11.7%
• Real estate; renting and business activities: 10.8%

Large companies that have headquarters or major branches in the location
• Eddie Stobart, Network Rail and the Potter Group
• Norwich Union Life, CPP and TSYS and Dickinson Dees

Areas that are considered to be prime business locations
• Colburn Business Park near Catterick
• Leeming Bar, Hambleton
• Scarborough Business Park
• Selby Business Park

Major or annual business-related events
• About a hundred conferences are held in the city of York each year, one of which is the famed Festival of Science and Technology.

Other
• Excellent education that the universities in the area provide high quality manpower for businesses.

Restrictions
• The Council processes and approves licenses for all business activities.
• New Gambling Act 2005 will take effect in 1 September 2007.

Special business benefits/dispensations
Small business rate relief - eligible properties with a rateable value of less than £5000 will get 50% relief.

3 best things about the location
• Relatively lower costs for salary and rent
• Ease of access coupled with a quiet laidback environment
• High quality support from the community in terms of manpower

Comprehensive list of York office space including short term and serviced