Into Somerset29th June 2012

One of the hardest tasks facing a business owner wishing to relocate is finding suitable premises for your business, but help is at hand. Into Somerset, the county’s inward investment agency, is maximising its excellent relationships with regional commercial property agents to offer a one-stop shop solution to make finding your ideal property that much easier.

Working closely with its professional network of property agents, Into Somerset offers free, bespoke and impartial advice to businesses looking for assistance in relocating to the county.

Somerset’s business parks and industrial estates are in key locations close to all five motorway junctions, as well as to the A303 at Wincanton, Yeovil and Ilminster. Additionally, Somerset has a network of unique, high-quality rural business developments, many of which are located in the grounds of historic estates.

For businesses looking for a brand new, ultra modern base, there are a variety of business development sites across Somerset, including the Firepool Development in Taunton (www.firepool-taunton.com), which now represents one of the largest mixed use regeneration schemes in the South West, with a six storey office block that has recently been completed, and the Weston Gateway site, a development managed by two Into Somerset ambassadors, Summerfield Developments and the Abbey Manor Group (www.westongateway.co.uk).

Other sites available within Somerset include:

• Taunton Deane – Firepool and Blackbrook Business Park, Taunton and West Park 26, Wellington
• Sedgemoor – Express Park, Puriton Energy Park and J24 Rural Business Centre, Bridgwater
• Mendip – Commerce Park, Frome; Moorlands Enterprise Park, Glastonbury
• South Somerset – Yeovil Innovation Centre, Lufton and Bunford, Yeovil
• West Somerset – Roughmoor, Williton, Minehead, Dulverton
• Local authority funded commercial opportunities can be found within Project Taunton, Yeovil Vision and the Bridgwater Challenge

Businesses that make the move to relocate to Somerset can significantly cut costs by making huge savings on commercial property, which tends to be at least a third cheaper than London and the South East. IT industry giant IBM moved its maintenance and repair centre from Uxbridge to Highbridge, near Bridgwater and the M5 corridor, and as a result IBM has saved a massive 45 per cent on building costs – and assured employees an excellent quality of life.

Great telecommunications, a high quality work life balance, an entrepreneurial culture and affordable commercial property prices are all to be found in Somerset, making it a highly attractive place to live, work and play. A wide variety of companies from world-leading global manufacturers to SMEs, sole traders to the self-employed are making the move to Somerset where they can find value-for-money premises, have an enjoyable lifestyle and grow their business.

A recent multi-million pound government investment in Somerset’s superfast broadband connection is further helping Somerset businesses to be more competitive. Michael Dunn, BT Regional Manager for the South West, says, “Taunton and Bridgwater will be the next two Somerset towns to enjoy the roll-out of the super fast broadband connectivity across the next couple of months. We are spending £2.5billion on introducing superfast broadband to the UK. We are making good progress – we have connected more than seven million properties and we are likely to hit ten million by the end of summer 2012.”

Quality of life for families and for employees is one of the most important factors stated by businesses considering a move – and Somerset’s offer is outstanding, with diverse and beautiful landscapes, market towns and villages and 30km of glorious coastline. Delicious locally produced food and drink are vital elements of traditional Somerset life and the 8,500 farmers and food producers based here make up the largest cluster in the UK. The educational opportunities in Somerset are first-class and Somerset’s crime rates are very low too – one of the safest regions in England, according to Home Office figures.

For advice and guidance on setting up a business in Somerset or relocating to the county, Into Somerset provides a bespoke service to help inward investors understand the opportunities available, offering support to ensure that the process of setting up or moving a business to Somerset is as smooth as possible. For more information, call 0845 1222 066 or visit www.intosomerset.co.uk