NEWS & EVENTS
Local News
Cornwall Enterprise Looks To Lure City Enterepreneurs
Published on 12 December 2007 written by Josie Purcell
The call to relocate comes as Cornwall prepares to invest £440 million of European funding over the next six years that will further transform the county's business environment.Lucy Hunt, manager at Cornwall Pure Business, Cornwall Enterprise's inward investment arm, said: "Working in large urban areas seems to be less and less attractive to people.
"According to the Office of National Statistics, 207,000 UK nationals emigrated last year, but a move out of the city needn't mean a move out of the country.
"The work/life balance possible here in Cornwall, coupled with the strength of business networks in the county, means entrepreneurship is not only thriving, but in some cases outperforming other areas of the country."
While the UK average number of new business start-ups per 10,000 population has declined by 2.5% over the past three years, Cornwall's new business trend is moving in the opposite direction and grew by almost 9% between 2005 and 2006.
Furthermore, the county boasts a higher business survival rate than any other region, with three-quarters of new businesses still trading after three years.
In addition, the county has improved road and air links and has a mature business support system.
The Escape: Relocate campaign throws Cornwall's business doors open to people seriously considering a fundamental life change.
Locally-matched European funding of £350 million over the past six years has been instrumental in boosting the infrastructure in Cornwall to make it more competitive.
The European Commission has highlighted the county as a best-practice example of effective use of these funds to deliver sustainable economic benefit,
Better airport links, improved broadband access and a wide range of higher education choices are all beneficial.
Lucy said: "Cornwall is now home to many innovative, high-tech businesses as well as a plethora of creative and entrepreneurial companies. The business landscape has changed significantly in the past five years due to the substantial investment that has been carried out."
Cornwall Pure Business is a service of Cornwall Enterprise