Economic Intelligence
Bath and North East Somerset is an area of great diversity across urban and rural areas. The Economic Intelligence page therefore provides a closer look at its localities and the opportunities these can afford.
Population
The resident population of Bath and North East Somerset, as measured in the 2001 Census, was 169,040, of which 49 per cent were male and 51 per cent were female. Approximately half the population live in the City of Bath with a further 22% living in the urban centres of Keynsham and Norton Radstock. There has been less than a 2% population increase in Bath and North East Somerset since 1991, although this masks a static position in Bath with higher population growth around Keynsham, Norton Radstock and some large villages such as Peasedown St. John. Of the total population 52% are female and 1.6% are from black and other ethnic minority groups, which is well below the UK average of 4.1%. However, 80% of these people from these groups live in Bath.
Resident population in Bath & North East Somerset (percentage)
Resident population in Bath & North East Somerset (percentage) | ||
|---|---|---|
Age group | Bath and North East Somerset | England and Wales |
Under 16 | 18.2 | 20.2 |
16 to 19 | 4.9 | 4.9 |
20 to 29 | 12.6 | 12.6 |
30 to 59 | 41.5 | 41.5 |
60 to 74 | 13.3 | 13.3 |
75 and over | 7.6 | 7.6 |
Average age | 39.9 | 38.6 |
Resident Population in Bath & North East Somerset (Percentage) | ||
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Age Group | Bath & north East Somerset | England & Wales |
Under 16 | 18.2 | 20.2 |
16 to 19 | 4.9 | 4.9 |
20 to 29 | 12.6 | 12.6 |
30 to 59 | 41.5 | 41.5 |
60 to 74 | 13.3 | 13.3 |
75 and over | 7.6 | 7.6 |
Average age | 39.9 | 38.6 |
Population Forecasts
Bath and North East Somerset is set to see steady population growth, reaching a high of just over 1% by 2021, a lower rate than that predicted for the rest of the South West region. Overall population growth in Bath and North East Somerset to 2021 will be a low 3%, this is closer to England's predicted growth rate of just over 4% than the South West region which will see population growth of 10% to 2021.
Economic Performance
Against national and regional benchmarks the economy has been performing well. GDP per person at £11,730K is above regional average and in line with UK figures.
Business birth rates in Bath and North East Somerset are amongst the highest in the UK and survival rates are above national average. New businesses are offered a growing number of support services, particularly by Business West who supported 110 start ups in 2002, going on to average two year survival rates of 78.5% (businesses registered in 2000) and three year survival rates of 64.8% (businesses registered in 1999 - Small Business Service, DTi, 2004).
VAT registrations show that Bath and North East Somerset had a growing stock of businesses with a consistent surplus of new VAT registrations over de-registrations annually, of 140-150. By industry, exceptional growth rates really only showed in Real Estate. However, this masks figures for small businesses which are not VAT registered and it should be noted that growth has been observed in certain niche small business areas such as the Creative Industries and ICT.
Employment and Employment Structure
There are 8000 employers in Bath and North East Somerset. Over 93% of these businesses employ less than 25 people, accounting for 35% of the workforce - a higher proportion than for the South West as a whole (32%). Less than 1 % of businesses employ more than 200 people, accounting for around 26% of the workforce - significantly less than the South West average of 32%. Major employers exist within the public and private sectors and across a variety of employment sectors.
Major employers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Name of Employer | Location | Business Type | No# of Employees |
Bath and North East Somerset Council | Bath and North East Somerset | Local Government | Approx 6400 |
Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust | Bath | Hospital | Approx 3500 |
University of Bath | Bath | Educational Estabishment | Approx 2352 |
Wessex Water | Claverton Down | Collection, Purification and Distribution of Water | 1500 |
Helphire Group Plc. | Bath | Renting of Automobiles | 800 |
Bath Spa University | Bath | Educational Establishment | 700 |
Future Publishing Ltd. | Bath | Publishers and Publications | 650 |
Cadbury Trebor Bassett Ltd. | Keynsham | Manufacturers of Confectionary | 600 |
Yeo Valley Farms (Production) Ltd. | Bath | Liquid Milk and Cream Production | 600 |
Walter Lawrence Civil and Mechanical Ltd | Bath | General Construction of Buildings and Civil Engineering Works | 500 |
Buro Happold | Bath | Architectural and Engineering activities and related technical | 400 |
Communisis BBF | Radstock | Composition and Plate Making | 300 |
Rotork Controls Ltd. | Lower Weston | Valve Manufacturers | 300 |
Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases | Bath | Hospital | 300 |
The Bath Chronicle | Bath | Press | 300 |
Welton Bibby & Baron Ltd. | Radstock | Manufacture of corrugated paper and paperboard, sacks and bags | 300 |
First in Somerset and Avon | Bath | Scheduled Passenger Transport | 300 |
Jollys House of Fraser | Bath | Retail | 250 |
BMT Defence Services | Bath | Naval design and engineering | 230 |
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Whilst the employment structure of Keynsham, Norton Radstock and B&NES rural areas are very similar, Bath sees higher employment levels in many service industries such as banking, finance and insurance contributing to 19% of total employment in Bath. Conversely, manufacturing accounts for some 32% of employment in Norton Radstock, but less than 8% in Bath.
Industrial Profile of Employees in Bath and North East Somerset by Industrial Sector and Location (part 1) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No# of people employed | Agriculture and Fishing | Energy and Water | Manufacturing | Construction | Distribution, hotels and resturants |
1 - 10 | 22 | 23 | 666 | 549 | 4134 |
11 - 49 | 17 | 47 | 821 | 381 | 5290 |
50 - 199 | 0 | 95 | 1062 | 213 | 2405 |
200 or more | 0 | 482 | 678 | 0 | 1374 |
Total | 39 | 647 | 3227 | 1143 | 13203 |
| Industrial Profile of Employees in Bath and North East Somerset by Industrial Sector and Location (part 2) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
No# of people employed | Transport and communications | Banking, finance and insurance etc | Public Administration, education and health | Other Services |
277 | 3088 | 1011 | 805 | |
322 | 2692 | 2842 | 609 | |
50 - 199 | 182 | 2093 | 2899 | 395 |
200 or more | 675 | 2944 | 15549 | 0 |
Total | 1456 | 10817 | 22301 | 1809 |
A number of profiles and analysis documents are available to view and/or download at the bottom of this page, including a detailed workspace analysis of Bath and North East Somerset.
Downloads
- DOWNLOAD - Low Carbon Economy (306k)
Sector profile detailing current state of low-carbon economy sector - DOWNLOAD - Creative Industry Sector (261k)
A profile of the Creative Industry Sector in Bath & North East Somerset - DOWNLOAD - Economic Profile B&NES (1054k)
Providing an economic overview of Bath & North East Somerset including the population, labour market, travel to work, housing and education (Appendices available on request from Robert Sketchley, Bath and North East Somerset Council 01225 477748) - DOWNLOAD - Economic Profile Midsomer Norton Radstock (925k)
Providing an economic overview of Midsomer Norton & Radstock including the population, labour market, travel to work, housing and education - DOWNLOAD - Economic Profile of Bath (1031k)
Providing an economic overview of the city of Bath including the population, labour market, travel to work, housing and education (Appendices available on request from Robert Sketchley, Bath and North East Somerset Council 01225 477748) - DOWNLOAD - Economic Profile of Keynsham (204k)
Providing an economic overview of Keynsham Town including the population, labour market, travel to work, housing and education (Appendices available on request from Robert Sketchley, Bath and North East Somerset Council 01225 477748
Related Pages
- Business Support Services
A range of business support services to help you start a business and to help your business grow. - Key facts and figures
Recommended Contacts
- GWE Business West Research
Specialising in economic development, regeneration research, consultancy and programme support
Contact: Jim Plunkett-Cole
Telephone: 01373 890100
Email: jpc@gwebusinesswest.co.uk
Address: Great Western Business Centre, Emlyn Square, Swindon, SN1 5BP - Bath & North East Somerset Development & Regeneration
Development and Regeneration service of Bath & North East Somerset
Contact: Robert Sketchley
Telephone: 01225 477748
Email: development_regeneration@bathnes.gov.uk
Address: 10 Palace Yard Mews, Bath BA1 2NH