Our Strengths
Shropshire is an inspiring and well-connected business location. Spectacular landscapes and fresh, open space inspire creative thinking and an open business philosophy attracts more start ups here than anywhere else in the country. Add to this a committed, skilled workforce and Shropshire becomes a first choice location for enterprise.
Shropshire’s key business sectors are tourism, food and drink production and processing, enterprise and innovation, environmental technologies and the creative industries. Shropshire is one of the least crowded and most peaceful areas of England, it has over 400 picturesque villages and 25 market towns, making it one of the few remaining rural idylls. The county’s vibrant tourism trade is driven by its abundance of nationally significant tourist attractions, festivals and events, which attracted nearly 11 million visitors to the county in 2005 and generated £560 million in revenue.
The county is home to a significant number of
national award-winning food and drink producers and processors. Ludlow has earned its reputation for being a centre of excellence for food and drink with a new food centre and a world renowned annual Food Festival. The region’s first Food Enterprise Centre is currently under construction in Shrewsbury and is designed to provide the ideal environment for start-up and growing businesses. The Centre is part of the Shropshire Food Enterprise Park, a 24 acre site dedicated to encouraging the growth of food and drink businesses.
Homeworking nationally is increasing annually by 18%. Shropshire is second in the UK ranking for home working locations (source: UK census). The population is growing above the national rate and is fuelled by the inward migration of 'green shifters'. In addition, the county has a higher proportion of self employed compared to the national average. The expanding technology and knowledge based sector and a strong entrepreneurial culture led Shrewsbury to win the Regional Final and take second place in the National Final of “UK Capital of Enterprise 2005”.
With a large number of environmental consultancies in the county, Shropshire is an industry leader in the environmental technologies sector. A combination of a skilled workforce, unique environmental technologies business network and establishment of an Eco Business Park in Ludlow and Environmental Technology Centre in Shrewsbury, has ensured that Shropshire has taken a leading role in this industry sector.
The creative industries are a growing part of Shropshire’s economy with the quality of life in the county attracting artists, performers and designers as well as businesses providing advertising, marketing and public relations services.
With dedicated and experienced support for businesses in the county, Shropshire provides the ideal environment for both new business start ups and established businesses looking to expand.
Businesses based in Shropshire know that the county really does have it all - a central location, specialist business support, a committed workforce and an all important entrepreneurial spirit. The county’s unique landscape, provides a perfect location in which to build a great business whilst enjoying the benefits of the ultimate rural lifestyle.