Economic
Facts
Gloucestershire
is the northernmost county of the South West region, bordering six
other counties and covering an area of 1,020 square miles (2,650
square kilometres), approximately 11% of the total area of the South
West region. The Cotswold District (which includes Cirencester)
covers approximately 450 square miles and is one of the largest
Districts in England. The District has a population of 82,800 and
comprises 114 parishes and nearly 200 settlements.
Over
80% of the Cotswold District is within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty (AONB) and has 144 designated Conservation Areas,
6,000 listed buildings and structures - the highest number in any
District in England, and numerous Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Historic
Parks and Gardens. The high quality of the local environment contributes
to the economic well-being of the area making it an ideal place
to live, work and invest.
The
area is well served by a good strategic road network and has an
airport situated between Gloucester and Cheltenham primarily used
for business and pleasure. Regional airports at Bristol and Birmingham
are easily accessible and Heathrow airport is 99 miles from the
centre of Gloucester.
There
are nine rail stations in the area, Gloucester, Cheltenham and Kemble
being those primarily used for Cirencester.
The
residential population of Gloucestershire was estimated at 568,500
in 2003 and this is forecast to grow steadily throughout the decade
to reach 584,00 by 2012.
For
up to date information on the local economy, unemployment rates
etc please click on the link below and select the ‘business and
working’ section:
Cotswold
District Council - click
here
Cotswold
District Councils economic aims are:
• Improve the wealth creating capacity of the area.
• Improve access residents have to the wealth created.
• Keep as much wealth as possible within the area.
And it works in partnership with other organisations throughout
the county to deliver economic well being:
• Business
Link Gloucestershire - business intelligence section.
• The
Job Centre Plus.
• The
Learning and Skills Council - employers section.
• The Gloucestershire
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• The County Council
- business pages.
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