More Information
Central London is at the heart of the UK capital and its primary business centre. It is the centre of a city economy that is equivalent to, or larger than, a number of European national economies. It is the centre of the financial services industry, has the largest concentration of media companies in Europe, and is the focal point for London's tourist, leisure and entertainment industries.
Central London has excellent internal and external transport links, an effective operating environment, access to a large local domestic and international market and an extensive business and professional services network.
Central London has excellent internal and external transport links, an effective operating environment, access to a large local domestic and international market and an extensive business and professional services network.
The Economy
- Central London generates 7% of the nations Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - Over 80,000 businesses operate in central London - Central London has one of the highest concentrations of media industries in the world - Financial and business services account for 60% of central Londons businesses - Three quarters of central London businesses employ fewer than 10 people, whilst 40% of people work within firms employing 200 or more people
Access to markets and transport links
- Over 19,000 taxis ('black cabs') operate in or around central London - Over one million people commute into and out of the area on a daily basis - Over 1.6 million trips are made into central London every week day
People
- Central London is home to one and a half million people, equating to 22% of Greater London's population - A quarter of people who live in Central London are of ethnic minority origin
LONDON (NORTH)
With a population of nearly one million, and with over 400,000 people employed in the region, North London is a major contributor to the prosperity of the Capital and an important economy in its own right. The area has good access to major markets, affordable property and excellent north-south transport links to the City, the rest of the UK and Europe.
It is a centre for the manufacturing industry, innovation and technology. North London has been ranked the second-best location (after West London) for businesses in the UK, in a Bradford & Bingley Relocation Services survey of 100 locations.
The Economy and Land for Development
- A location for national and international companies such as Merck Sharp and Dohme, Nortel Networks, Visteon, Bridisco, Tunewell Technology, Coca-cola Enterprises, Lombard Trinity Finance, Johnson Matthey and GE Lighting - Manufacturing businesses are major employers and an important feature of the North London economy - Business clusters in printing, furniture manufacture, clothing finishing, distribution, finance administration, metal manufacturing and telecommunications - A vibrant small business culture in the growth sectors of cultural industries, food, media and telecommunications
Access to markets
- Excellent transport links to the rest of the UK via roads (London's orbital motorway, the M25, and the North Circular road) and the rail network (direct rail links to London Kings Cross and London Liverpool Street Stations) - Close to London Stansted Airport , which serves around 10 million passengers each year, and flies to around 30 European cities - Close to the growth regions of South Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire - Access to broad-band telecomms networks
Land and Premises
- The Innova Science and Business Park, a 100 acre site next to the M25, will offer more than 140,000 square metres (1.5 million square feet) of state-of-the-art business accommodation in North London and is home to the London Business Innovation Centre, a centre of excellence for research and development - Delta Park in the successful Brimsdown Business Area shall provide up to 41,000 square metres (445,000 square feet) of high quality industrial and distribution accommodation. The first phase has now been built. - The Aztec 406 industrial and distribution development opportunity offers up to 14.57 hectares (36 acres) of land within close proximity to the North Circular Road, being only 5 miles south of the M25 motorway network - At least 160 acres on 5 sites is ready for development now
People and & employment
- A large and ethnically diverse population with a wide range of language skills - A large resident workforce - Strong co-operation between the higher and further education institutions
LONDON (SOUTH)
South London is a multi-cultural area of nearly 2 million people and is home to over 50,000 companies including many market-leaders. It will also be the home of the London Mayor and Assembly. The area has a strong transport network, providing easy access to markets, customers and suppliers through well-developed rail and road links to the UK motorway system, Central London, and London Gatwick and London Heathrow Airports.
South London includes the historic town of Wimbledon affluent suburbs and some of the major commercial centres outside of central London.
Croydon has the only modern tram in London and in the South of England. 28 km of track circle the heart of the Croydon's commercial district and link across South London to other major residential and commercial centres including Wimbledon. The fast and reliable tram system is very popular with the 130,000 people who live close to one of the boarding points.
The Economy
- Key sectors in South London include financial and business services, engineering food processing and manufacturing - The area is a base for a large number of inward investors including Alcatel, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Citibank, Merrill Lynch, Nestlé, Pirelli and Utell as well as market-leading UK companies such as BT, Direct Line, The Financial Times, ICL and Woolwich Bank - Croydon is the largest commercial centre in the South East of England outside of central London
Access to markets
- South London is served by London Gatwick Airport, ranked eighth busiest international airport in the world, which offers direct flights to more destinations in the United States than any other UK airport - The area is home to Biggin Hill Airport, the UK's leading airport for private charter flights to Europe - There are over 40 daily Eurostar rail services to Paris and Brussels from London's Waterloo rail station - Central London is a 20 minute rail journey from the major commercial centres in South London with the M25 less than seven miles away
Land and premises
- There is at least 240 acres of land available for new business, industrial and retail investment - 20 minutes from central London office rents are 50% cheaper at £10-25 psf - Industrial building rents are £4-8psf - There is over 7 million sqft of office space in Croydon alone
People and employment
- A resident workforce of 800,000 people More than 28% of South London's workforce are termed 'knowledge-workers', employed in professional, managerial or technical occupations - Two thirds of South Londons working population also live in the area - Salary levels are 20% less than the London average - There are four universities in South London
LONDON (EAST)
Docklands is a thriving and vibrant business district to the east of the City with a wide range of shops, restaurants, pubs and wine bars, as well as heath care and leisure facilities and an extensive arts and events program. Leading international companies enjoy the highest quality buildings, facilities and infrastructure, within London's newest business district making it an area of great opportunity for business.
Recent years have seen massive investment in its economy and infrastructure. Docklands & East London is well served by numerous major transport links. The award winning Jubilee Line highlights Docklands' accessibility, offering travel time from Canning Town to Green Park in only 23 minutes and from Canary Wharf, Waterloo can be reached in 11 minutes and Bond Street in 18 minutes.
London City Airport operates to 28 destinations in the UK and Continental Europe with a 10 minute check-in time and when complete.
With a population of nearly 2 million, East London is larger than Frankfurt and Amsterdam put together. The region offers excellent access to London and European markets, land for development, quality office space, low operational costs and a large and culturally diverse local workforce.
The Economy
- Key sectors in East London are financial and business services, manufacturing and research, leisure and tourism, and distribution and logistics - ExCel on the Royal Docks, provides 90,000 square metres (970,000 square feet) of exhibition space, creating one of the biggest exhibition spaces in Europe - London Docklands and Canary Wharf is headquarters to large multinationals including Morgan Stanley, Texaco, Citibank, HSBC, Credit Suisse First Boston and many more - The Canary Wharf development has generated £111m worth of construction related business for East London companies
Access to markets
- London City Airport, the sixth largest international airport in the UK is East London's local airport, flying to 28 European destinations. London Stansted Airport, serving around 30 European cities, is only 30 minutes away by car. Combined, these airports serve over 10 million passengers each year - The London City Airport extension of the Docklands Light Railway and the East London Line extension, will provide many new stations in the East London area
Land and premises
- In excess of 500 acres of land is currently available within inner East London, with an additional 200 acres becoming available in the next three to five years - One Canada Square and its current complex of 13 surrounding buildings offers 5.8 million sq.ft. of office space in one of the most modern developments in Europe, with a further 10 buildings and 2 retail centres underway. The current stage of development includes the 1.2million sq.ft. Citibank building and HSBC's new 1.1 million sq. ft. building expected to be ready for occupation in 2002. The current phase of development will add an additional 7.1 million sq.ft. of prime office to the estate - Prime office rents in Docklands are over 50% cheaper than in Paris and Frankfurt, and considerably cheaper than in Brussels, Amsterdam and Dublin.
People and employment
- Over 500,000 people are employed in East London - With the expansion of the London Underground and Docklands Light Railway in East London, 3 million workers are now within one hours travel from Canary Wharf - The financial and business services industry employ over 100,000 people - one in every five jobs in East London - Over the next 15 years, over 160,000 new jobs are expected to be generated in inner East London due to the continuing development of Canary Wharf and continuing improvements to the transport infrastructure - 41,000 people currently work at Canary Wharf. The population is due to increase to 100,000 when the estate is fully built - 25% of East London's resident workforce have a degree or other higher qualification - Over 300 languages are spoken in London - in East London, there are over 30 resident communities of over 1,000 people who were born outside the UK
LONDON (WEST)
West London is a substantial European city in its own right. With 1.5 million residents, it is double the size of Frankfurt. It is a centre for international headquarters, for manufacturing, high tech industries, and tradable services, and it is a world city gateway, being home to the busiest international airport in the world, Heathrow.
The Economy
- A £19 billion economy - £40 million of goods and services used each day - Almost 30% of all the media jobs in the UK - The largest and most broadly-based concentration of manufacturing firms in London - with 87,000 employees (9% of West London employment) - The UK's largest concentration of IT activity with the industry's top 10 global players having a presence in West London - Producer and consumer services account for 41 % of West London employment, and international visitor attractions like Wembley and Earl's Court / Olympia attract over 10 million visitors a year combined - home to over 200 Headquarters
Access to markets
- 2/3 of all outer London underground stations are located in West London - All of West London is within 5 miles of a motorway junction - Home to the world's busiest international airport, Heathrow which handles more than 53 million passengers a year
People and employment
- West London generates almost one in five of London's jobs and 8% of all employment in the South East - 607,000 people are employed in 61,000 workplaces - Two thirds of West London's working population also live in the area - Ethnic minorities constitute over one quarter of the total resident population - over 363,000 people - equivalent to a city the size of Bristol - One in six of the ethnic minority population in West London speak at least one other language and one in twenty speak three or more languages
