Bournemouth is a lovely seaside town, nestled on the south coast of England, in the historic county of Dorset. Not just a popular destination for domestic and international tourists, Bournemouth is also a fantastic place for businesses to operate. With transportation links that are second to none, and an abundance of conference centres and accommodation to look after important clients and delegates, Bournemouth attracts a wide range of different businesses.
So what has Bournemouth got going for it? Why are so many businesses setting up their Head Quarters on the coast?
Location
Starting with Bournemouth's setting on the UK's landscape, it's clear to see why so many businesses set up shop there. Being a seaside town, it attracts a high proportion of tourists, both young and old. As a result there are plenty of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and bars. With the beach attracting a number of tourists, you'll also see a huge number of leisure facilities and activities to entertain visitors and locals. Therefore, hospitality, leisure and tourism are thriving industries.
In addition, there are a lot of rest and care homes, offering the senior members of society a place to relax and unwind during their retirement; so care is another huge sector that thrives in Bournemouth. You'll be surprised to hear that it isn't just the typical businesses either. It has a good reputation as being a young, cool place for younger members of society, either those at University or young professionals. As a result, businesses from a variety of industries set up their head quarters there, such as the insurance, finance, and digital industries.
Transportation
This is a huge factor for many businesses. Bournemouth is located just off the M27, which runs eastwards across the south coast to Brighton and Eastbourne. The M3 is also easily accessible, which runs north eastwards towards London, meaning that a car journey from London to Bournemouth can take 1 hour and a half, or 2 hours from the centre of London. Rail links are excellent too, with trains available to and from the north, east and west of the country.
Bournemouth also boasts a nearby airport which handles a lot of domestic and international flights. All in all, whether you're looking to relocate here, commute from other parts of the UK, or invite delegates or clients from all over the world, the Bournemouth has a lot going for it. However, what sets Bournemouth apart from other areas of the UK, is its fantastic ferry links with nearby Poole harbour handling passenger ferries, container ships and cruise liners. It's the second biggest natural harbour in the world, and as a result, a lot of businesses can deliver and receive large goods from all over the world hassle-free.
Hospitality
If you're looking to entertain guests, delegates, clients or even employees, then Bournemouth has to be your number one hot spot. Being such a popular tourist town, there are a multitude of hotels and exhibition centres perfect for any occasion.
If you are looking for something modern, then be sure to use settings that come equipped with all of the latest state of the art audio visual equipment, wireless Internet as well as other facilities. However, there are also those places that bring a little more historic charm and culture, which by the way will also often offer similar levels of modern technology. Check with the exhibition and conference venue first to be fully sure of their facilities, but in Bournemouth you're sure to find the right one you're looking for.
So, these are just some of the reasons that many businesses flock to the seaside town of Bournemouth. The general working culture and lifestyle is great at attracting new employees, and with the other reasons mentioned it's certainly a good place for any business.
Vincent Rogers is a freelance writer for a number of UK businesses and organisations. Job hunters should explore Careers in Bournemouth with Castle Cover, a leading employer in the Bournemouth area.