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Location, innovation and a swashbuckling spirit of enterprise have been the keys to Bristol's business success over the centuries - and it's as true today as it was when the city's seafarers and merchants roamed the Seven Seas.
Bristol's been in the right place at the right time for most of its history. Its westward-facing, deep-water harbour was perfectly positioned to exploit first European and then transatlantic trade routes, bringing great wealth and commercial success.
With road, rail and air the lifeblood of today's business travel, Bristol scores yet again. The M4 meets the M5 just north of the city. High-speed trains link Bristol with London and other major centres. Bristol International Airport - once little more than a holiday travel convenience - is now the UK's fastest growing regional airport, which runs scores of scheduled business feeder services linking it to some of the leading UK and European cities. Bristol suffered difficult times in the 1970s and '80s. Concorde was a technological triumph but a commercial dud, damaging the city's long-established aerospace industry. The closure of the City Docks had a harmful knock-on effect on morale, prestige and traditional shipping. And Bristol's mighty tobacco industry went up in a puff of smoke, along with its allied print industry.
But Bristol's location came to the rescue yet again as major employers, seeking new headquarters away from London and the South East, realised the potential of that strategic location and acted. Major relocations included moves to Bristol by Lloyds TSB's retail banking headquarters and the Ministry of Defence Procurement Agency. Bristol woke up, and so, at last, did its civic leaders. It was the birth of a radically new, increasingly successful partnership between the city and business.
Today, more than 160 companies have their national headquarters in Bristol and six out of the South West's ten largest companies are based in the city, sharing a turnover of £22 billion and employing more than 120,000 people worldwide.
An adaptable, talented workforce and a dynamic spirit of innovation have always been part of Bristol's commercial and industrial heritage. Bristol's list of 'firsts' includes the world's first iron, propeller-driven liner, the SS Great Britain, the first recorded voyage to the American mainland - by John Cabot - and the first supersonic airliner in Concorde. Aerospace and engineering still play a major role, with key employers including Rolls-Royce and Airbus supporting a network of smaller specialist companies. Rolls- Royce's Bristol facility is a world leader in aero engines for the defence industry and Airbus in Bristol manufactures the world's most aerodynamically advanced wings for the Airbus family.
The city has experienced strong growth in financial and business services, construction, ICT and high-tech industries, and its outstanding creative and media industries have produced world leading examples of excellence, from the Oscar-winning Aardman animation team to the BBC's Natural History Unit.
Bristol's historic city centre harbour may no longer open its gates to merchant vessels from around the world, but the Royal Portbury and Avonmouth docks at the mouth of the Avon form one of the UK's most dynamic seaports, bringing very big ships closer to the heart of the UK population than any other major port, offering significant distribution savings for clients, including international car manufacturers. One key to the city's outstanding success in cutting-edge high- tech industries has been the close, successful partnership between industry, commerce and Bristol University and the University of the West of England. Research collaborations between academics and industry have seen the successful establishment of scores of spin-out companies. When Japanese giant Toshiba was seeking the perfect place to set up its European research headquarters, it chose Bristol because of the wealth of talent available at its universities.
Another reason for Bristol's continuing success has been a major construction drive in and around the city, with new, large- scale office developments, including Temple Quay by Temple Meads station, a proposed science park and new commercial centres on the city's outskirts, with swift motorway links. Business rents are very competitive - in London, business rents per square foot are £72 in the West End, £57 in the City and £45 in mid- London. Central Bristol rents are just £23.50.
Bristol's reputation as a thriving, vibrant place to work, live and play has become increasingly recognised. It's a place people want to be. Bristol is an outstanding example of meeting today's growing desire to live and work in city centres. Former dockside warehouses have been converted into much sought-after homes, derelict sites have become human-scale housing developments just minutes from the city centre and the commercial centre. Again, Bristol scores well against the South East, where the average home costs £189,000 compared to Bristol's £149,000.
The head of a leading US property group - which has already invested in the large-scale redevelopment of the former Courage Brewery (next to Bristol Bridge in central Bristol) into residential accommodation - described Bristol as a major investment opportunity, and the group is considering more developments in the city.
The city was short-listed as one of eight finalists for European Capital of Culture 2008 and though Liverpool won, it's a sign of Bristol's success and self-assurance that all its exciting plans for new cultural attractions outlined in the bid are going ahead.
Today, thanks to the new spirit of co-operation between the city and business, there's plenty of help available for businesses which might be considering moving to Bristol or expanding or investing in existing businesses. The city has its own dedicated Economic Development Team and a large network of business organisations and universities ready to help with any enquiries.
Karen King, the Team's Manager, said: "We're here to help new and established businesses, with advice, contacts and information on every aspect of businesses, from available premises to putting them in touch with business groups. We want them to get it right the first time and we'll do all we can to support them and help them become successful."
Business Links
www.bristol-city.gov.uk/bristoltoday
www.businessmatch.org.uk, a portal for small businesses on networking in Bristol website,
www.visitbristol.co.uk for Bristol Tourism and Conference information.
Economic Development Team. Tel.+44 (0) 117 922 2928
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