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Cities Outlook again ranks Reading in second place to London for its economic contribution per worker, average workplace wages and the number of businesses per capita. Reading also performs strongly for innovation, business startups, employment levels and qualifications.


And, Reading’s Thames and Kennet river environs, business opportunities and modern lifestyle amenities are plainly attractive to the town’s many high-profile UK and international companies, plus importantly their employees.


Why else would Reading have been highlighted as one of the: ‘Best places to live in the UK’ (PwC/Demos ‘Good Growth for Cities Index’); ‘A top location for business growth’ (LSH report, UK Vitality Index); ‘Fastest-growing conurbations in the country’ (EY report, UK Region and City Economic Forecast); and the ‘UK’s No.1 regional technology cluster’ (KPMG Tech Monitor)?


Noticeably, following its 2016 Year of Culture, Reading achieved prestigious Purple Flag status for its evening and night-time town-centre economy. Purple Flag awardees are recognised for providing a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture, while promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and local residents.


Why else would global and market leading companies such as Huawei, Bayer, Thales, Pepsico, Oracle, Microsoft, Verizon, Quintiles, Foster Wheeler, Symantec, Becton Dickinson, Austin Fraser, IKEA and Tesco distribution choose to base or relocate their headquarters and strategically important sites in ‘Greater Reading’?


Location and synergistic city links


The business synergy of Reading stems from its prized location – close enough to Heathrow Airport and London for international linkage; in convenient striking distance of the rest of southern England and Solent-based ports; plus its setting amid beautiful Berkshire countryside complete with world- renowned sporting venues such as Henley and Ascot nearby.


Location is a massive tick for Reading but the town wouldn’t be successful without the provision of the right ‘city’ infrastructure and support for business.


Infrastructure A generation ago Reading was rightly


businessmag.co.uk


The upgrading of Reading’s M4 junctions has reduced rush-hour congestion (still the bane of most busy cities), with ‘smart motorway’ improvements set to begin this year. A third Thames bridge crossing remains a beneficial traffic-easing prospect for Reading.


The award-winning Reading Buses services and park-and-ride facilities encircle the town, and the ReadyBike hire scheme with 40miles of cycling routes completes the synergistic transportation links – each helping to ease town-centre car-parking requirements.


Education


While the growing population has put pressure on the town’s primary schools, Reading has some of the best secondary schools in the country (eg Reading


Career-focused further education links are highlighted by the location of the Henley Business School within the University of Reading’s campus – both world-renowned academic bodies.


Together they all create an educational synergy that develops and helps attract a skilled talent-pool within the Reading catchment area – a key plus for inward investors.


Creating modern business parks


The University of Reading’s new 47-acre Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP) at Shinfield, south of the M4, launches this autumn – and will become a natural national focal point for aspiring science- related businesses.


Continued overleaf ... READING NUMBER 1 CITY UPDATE – JUNE 2017


being criticised for its inadequate infrastructure, especially transportation.


Today, the town has arguably the finest railway station in the country, which following its £850 million redevelopment importantly provides excellent travel links throughout the UK. The Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) will arrive in Reading by December 2019. Network Rail is planning a new Western Rail Link to Heathrow that could provide direct access from Reading to Heathrow by the mid-2020s.


School, Abbey School, Kendrick School) and new schools are being created.


Launched in 2013, Reading University Technical College (UTC Reading) has also enhanced the towns early career options in computer science and engineering.


Reading UK CIC recently completed a three-year City Deal with central government that helped the town deliver nearly 100 apprenticeships, full-time work for 340 and employment support for over 1,000 young people.


Reading Station


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