Airport News
Research conducted by London Gatwick Airport has shown that emerging UK science and technology hubs have situated themselves within easy access of the airport. This is due to fast and direct rail connections to Gatwick Airport, which offers flights to 46 out of the 50 top European business destinations.
The technology, media and telecommunications sector is one of the fastest growing in Britain and is being driven by small start-ups and SMEs located outside of London where office space is cheaper.
Areas such as Croydon, Brighton and Guildford are all within a 30 minute car or rail journey and have all seen tech and science industry growth in recent years. Guildford has developed a strong gaming presence with companies such as Electronic Arts and Kuju, whereas Brighton has seen the arrival of US tech firm Dyn and the government investment of £170m (US$282m) to create ‘Silicon Beach’ – a business center for tech firms based at New England House. Croydon alone accounts for over 1,000 tech, digital and creative start-ups encouraged by tech community groups such as Croydon Tech City.
Johnny Rose, Croydon Tech City founder, said, “In the past two years, Croydon Tech City has seen a 23% growth in the number of digital, tech and creative companies setting up in the borough. As many of these companies now look to expand their offering to international markets, easy access to these countries via air travel will become integral – not just for the economic wellbeing of South London’s economy, but Southeast England as a whole.”
With the addition of a second runway, Gatwick could offer more flights and lower fares to other major European tech centers such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, Dublin and Helsinki. Norwegian Air has recently launched low-cost long-haul flights to Los Angeles and New York, where tech industry relations can be built with ‘Silicon Valley’ in Manhattan.
Michael Ibbitson, Gatwick chief information officer, said, “Gatwick’s expansion plans not only meet Britain’s future aviation needs, they are also the best choice to support one of the UK’s major emerging industries. Gatwick is strategically positioned for the UK’s burgeoning science and technology industries. Through fast and direct train links to the airport, and more flights, lower fares and better connections to other European tech centers, an expanded Gatwick is the best choice to support the UK’s science and technology revolution.”
The research conducted by London Gatwick can be found in its Connecting Britain to the Future. Faster report from July 2014.
