Bristol is home to more than 20,000 businesses and ranks number 13 on the European Digital City Index. Even with just these two pieces of information in mind, we hope that your interest in the city has already been piqued.
Although much of this information will come as no surprise to those who already live in and love Bristol, let’s run through five more reasons why this bustling city might make the ideal base for your business.
1. Benefit from Outstanding Business Opportunities in Bristol
Bristol can offer a wealth of opportunities to businesses of all shapes and sizes. In 2016, a Tech Nation report named Bath and Bristol as the most productive digital and tech cluster in the UK, with both cities ranking above London. Bristol has also been named as the largest centre for legal services outside London, with many of the largest firms choosing to open primary offices in the city.
As we will discover, there are myriad reasons why Bristol is an excellent place in which to start or relocate a business. Although faster than average broadband speeds might appear to be a relatively minor consideration, as the digital sphere becomes even more integrated into our daily lives, fast broadband speeds are extremely important. Bristol also has a variety of affordable office spaces that can offer businesses the space in which to grow and flourish.
2. Leverage Access to High-Quality Talent
Bristol is home to two research-led universities: the University of the West of England (UWE) and the University of Bristol.
The University of Bristol is one of the world’s top 30 universities and maintains active links with businesses in the surrounding area. This excellent working relationship means that the university will support and coordinate graduate placements with local businesses, helping students to take their first steps on the employment ladder and ensuring that businesses benefit from the highest quality talent with plenty of ideas and energy to strive for bigger and better successes.
The University of Bristol also runs a research and development enterprise program which works with students, researchers, academics and entrepreneurs. This initiative enables the university to facilitate both short and medium-term placement opportunities for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Additionally, Bristol is also home to a highly-qualified workforce with a significant proportion holding an NVQ Level 4 qualification or above.
3. Explore Strong Business and Support Networks
Whether you need a Bristol based IT service provider to keep the your critical business infrastructure running smoothly or want to engage the services of one of many experienced marketing agencies in the city to increase your brand awareness, Bristol has a hugely developed and world class service sector and excellent support networks that you can tap into as and when you need to.
As the city is home to a vibrant and lively business community, there are many options to network and establish valuable connections. Business West is just one example of the opportunities on offer in the city and this strong community makes Bristol an excellent place for both new and established businesses to create the foundations of a bright and successful future.
4. Make the Most from Superior Accessibility and Transport Connections
In addition to benefiting from excellent rail connections to London and South Wales, Bristol is also a primary connection point between the North and the South West of the UK. This includes major cities such as Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham.
Bristol Temple Meads station facilitates much of the city’s rail services and Bristol also benefits from an international airport with connections to the USA, Northern Africa and more than 50 European cities. Bristol is on the M4, which offers excellent road connections to Portsmouth, Plymouth and Southampton, and Bristol Port sits on the outskirts of the city.
5. Maintain a Strong Work-Life Balance and Enjoy an Excellent Quality of Life
Maintaining a good work-life balance is essential to our overall sense of wellbeing and with plenty to see and do, Bristol is an excellent place to live. In addition to the Hippodrome which hosts a variety of high-quality theatre, Bristol is also home to a renowned museum and art gallery, a variety of independent cinemas and an array of restaurants, bars and pubs.
With further investment in the city underway, Bristol is primed to remain an excellent base for a variety of businesses long into the future.
