Running a business in the Vale of Evesham

Located on the edge of the Cotswolds, the Vale of Evesham’s economy was primarily driven by horticultural production. Although still prominent in the area, the local economy has diversified to include tourism, warehousing and distribution, finance and manufacturing. Evesham is the primary retail centre of the Vale which has recently benefited from a £2m refurbishment of the public realm. The Vale of Evesham is currently experiencing population growth, especially commuting residents in the ABC1 demographic who, thanks to direct trunk route connections to regional centres and the motorway network, direct rail links to London and house prices typically 15% below those in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire have taken advantage of the Vale’s gentler lifestyle.

Consumer Profile

There are approximately 93,000 residents in the Vale of Evesham. The largest consumer groups in this area are:
  • Wealthy Executives(21,000);
  • Secure Families (16,000); and
  • Affluent Greys (14,000).

Retail

The retail offer is underpinned by a strong independent sector that specialises in added value products such as locally produced specialist foods, gifts and clothing. This together with the availability of flexible retail space is proving increasingly attractive to national retailers wishing access the Vale’s affluent catchment. Current national brands include:

Argos Carphone Warehouse H Samuel Next
Barclays Clinton Cards Jessups Pilot
Body Shop Costa Coffee Lloyds TSB Superdrug
Bon Marche Game Morison’s Tesco Extra
Boots Halifax Nationwide Building Society The Edinburgh Woollen Mill
Burton Holland & Barratt New Look W H Smith

Evesham Town Centre benefits from over 700 surface level parking spaces plus an additional 270 multi storey spaces managed by the Riverside Shopping Centre.

Industrial

Good access, above average level of skills at NVQ2 and above and the availability of suitable sites has seen a growth in inward investor interest. Key locations include:

Major employers:

  • Kanes Foods;
  • Karndean International Ltd;
  • Matcon Ltd;
  • Allen Gearing Solutions Ltd.

Key development opportunities:

  • Wychavon District Council owns smaller sites within Evesham Town Centre available for retail and mixed use development;
  • New industrial and commercial opportunities are available at Vale Park West, with planning permission for B1/B2 units;
  • New developments at Worcester Rd Evesham and Four Pools Trade Centre Davies Rd have enhanced the retail offer;
  • Interbrook - a new 4.7 hectare employment site 7 miles from Junction 6 of the M5 offering design and build opportunities from 930 - 5575 sq. m;
  • A new allocation of 10 ha of development land is available at Throckmorton Technology and Business Park, Throckmorton airfield, three miles to the north-east of Pershore.

Investment Data

Wychavon District Council offers a range of business support services and advice including the latest demographic information and planning policy advice. Click here.
(www.wychavon.gov.uk/cms/business-and-planning/business-support-and-advice.aspx)

Property Search

The Worcestershire Property Search service manages enquiries for business and commercial premises throughout Worcestershire using an on-line database system shared with the County and District Councils. This enables them to provide you with a single response, no matter which part of the county you are considering. Click here to begin your search.
(www.worcestershirepropertysearch.co.uk)

Find it in Worcestershire

Worcestershire Country Council have developed an on-line business community that aims to boost the area’s economy by giving local businesses, social enterprises and voluntary sector organisations the support and contacts they need to pitch for and win bigger contracts. Join today (www.finditinworcestershire.com) and find people interested in supplying to and buying from you.

Evesham Market Town Partnership delivers initiatives designed to encourage inward investment and support businesses already located in the Vale of Evesham. These include business development and support grants, planning application consultation, assistance with site assembly and resources to support major events and promotional activity that encourage overnight stays and additional footfall to the Vale’s attractions.

The Vale of Evesham offers that rare combination of an affordable yet accessible commercially viable location and an affluent residential catchment that is set in a beautiful rural location. We are rightly proud of our offer and would welcome the opportunity to share it with you.

For all enquiries please contact Shawn Riley, Evesham Market Town Partnership Manager: Tel: 01386 565518 e-mail: shawn.riley@wychavon.gov.uk

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