An Economic overview of Weybridge

Weybridge’s status as the second largest town within the Elmbridge borough, coupled with its large population and several major roads running through the town, means that the area often suffers from heavy traffic congestion. Fortunately, the Elmbridge county council will be focusing on improving the transport infrastructure, as part of its latest core strategy.

Some additional areas that the council have also outlined in their report include:

• Improvements to the local train station.
• The creation of additional office space for businesses.
• Further investment within the education sector to be made.
• Additional residential development required away from areas that are prone to flooding.
• The need to build on existing growth and reduce the local carbon footprint, by utilising more sustainable ways to deliver economic growth.
• Reduce the risk of flooding.

If you are considering whether to relocate or not to Weybridge for business, then here are some statistics that may just help you to make up your mind:
With a population of approximately 132,670, of which 22.5% fall in the (age 0-15) bracket, it is hardly surprising that there is a shortage of places at local educational establishments and with much of the community aspiring to achieve some form of higher education qualification, the local council has realised that these issues can only be addressed via investment and by working with local authorities to help generate new opportunities for the younger generation.

It should be noted that the local population hasn’t been deterred though and 59.2% have still managed to achieve some form of higher qualification.

Moreover, with 75.3% of the residents throughout the borough being economically active, average earnings for much of the population continue to be significantly higher than their national counterparts.

What does this mean for you as a business?

• With much of the economy being highly educated and of working age, employers now have more choice when it comes to selecting the right candidate for their business.
• The town offers a high quality of life.
• Additional housing to be created in the local area to help accommodate the growing population.
• An established infrastructure for the transport industry with new developments planned for the local train station.
  
• Measures are being put in place to address issues surrounding the town’s environmental impact.
• 40.3% of the economically inactive population are students reinforcing that this is a prosperous economy.

You can find out more about the local council core strategy and its future plans for the borough in its 2011 report which focuses on the 2011-2026 period on the council website.