York is one of England’s finest and most beautiful historic cities. Today, a strong knowledge-driven economy pushes the city forward with heritage and innovation combining to create a world-class destination.
Locating Your Business in York
Talent, connectivity and an unrivalled quality of life make York an enviable business location.
York's economy
With a thriving economy, contributing about £5 billion of value to the national economy, York’s assets and opportunities are first class: a highly skilled population, world-class universities, excellent transport links to both national and international markets, pronounced strengths in a range of high value sectors, a pioneering digital infrastructure, outstanding business support networks and an unrivalled quality of life.
Talent in York
For businesses looking to relocate, York provides a significant recruitment pool, powered by its highly educated human resource, two world-class universities, two higher education colleges, top ranking schools and a wider regional network of universities to which the city is connected.
49% of York’s residents have a degree level qualification or higher, outstripping both the regional and national average.
York’s 2 universities, University of York (part of the prestigious Russell Group) and York St John University, offer critical partnerships to develop projects put forward by businesses.
Connectivity in York
York’s connectivity with the rest of the UK and further afield provides a distinctive benefit to businesses located here.
The city enjoys an enviable position at the heart of the national railway network with direct trains to every major city in England and Scotland, and more than 140 rail connections around the UK. York is under 2 hours by rail from London, and only 2 hours and 20 minutes from Edinburgh.
Several international airports are within easy reach of York, and the city’s positioning close to the UK’s main north-south and east-west arteries provides easy access to many of the UK’s main business centres. With the UK’s largest multi-purpose port complex just over an hour away, York also has great shipping access to Europe and the rest of the world.
Living in York
York was named as the Best Place to Live in the UK 2018, by The Sunday Times:
The mini metropolis has a rich history and grand ambitions to be one of the best-connected hubs in Europe, with cool cafés, destination restaurants and innovative companies.
Located in the heart of the UK, York is one of the country’s most visited cities, and offers a wealth of things to see, do and enjoy. With its excellent transport, public services and educational facilities, York offers an unrivalled quality of life.
The combination of rich heritage and culture with a contemporary vibrancy offers a unique lifestyle. A juxtaposition of some of Europe’s best-preserved history alongside a dynamic leisure offer:
- shopping and leisure
- attractions, events and festivals
- sport and recreation
- Beyond York
- transport connections
City Regions
York’s connectivity with its wider region is further strengthened through membership of two Local Enterprise Partnerships:
- York & North Yorkshire – urban growth centres benefiting from a rural powerhouse
- Leeds City Region – the UK’s second-largest economy and population centre
Development Sites
York currently offers a selection of prime development sites around the city, ranging from York Central, a collaborative regeneration development to the rear of York Station, to flagship projects such as the Castle Gateway redevelopment in the city centre: