Slough has once again proved beyond all doubt that it is a valuable place for doing business.
Financial Times company FDi intelligence carried out a "European Cities and Regions of the Future" report, in which Slough was named as the best micro city in terms of its roads, networks and communications infrastructure.
A micro city is described as an area with a population of up to 250,000 and Slough was also named the third best micro city for its quality of life - just after Luxembourg and Monaco and best in the UK.
In the rankings (which focus on the best prospects for inward investment, economic development and business expansion) Slough came out third overall for infrastructure, whilst the Thames Valley was ranked the tenth overall region and third in the UK.
Paul Britton, of Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, made the submission.
He said: “These results demonstrate that Thames Valley remains attractive and highly competitive for inward investment and expansion projects by multinational companies.”
Shabnam Ali, economic policy development officer at SBC, feels the news is good for the whole community.
She said: “Slough is recognised as being open for business. Businesses recognise our schools are good, our amenities, local facilities, roads and networks are good and that is part of the attraction really.
“If we have more businesses, we have more potential jobs, more growth, and more training provision because they will be looking for skilled people. Our population aspirations can grow.”
Slough Council is continuing to work in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and SEGRO to showcase the town on an international level.
Shabnam added: “Slough is on the up and it has been recognised in the whole of Europe. We are on the map and it is something to be proud of. Times are tough economically, but this has given us hope
for improvements for the future.”
More information about Slough Means Business can be found at www.slough.gov.uk
