BALANCING THE BENEFITS OF LOCATING IN LANCASTER & MORECAMBE ISN'T HARD.

FACTORS SUCH AS AFFORDABLE OFFICE RENTAL LEVELS, SHOW THAT IT OFFERS GREAT VALUE COMPARED TO OTHER MAJOR NORTHWEST CITIES AND TOWNS.

Add in the city's excellent transport links, low house prices, superb quality of life and high achieving schools, and it's easy to see why so many organisations are keen to call Lancaster & Morecambe home.

• Considering the high skill level of Lancaster & Morecambe's workforce, the city area has very competitive wage levels. Average wage rates for 2008 are £440 per week for full time workers. This compares to £450 for the Northwest and £483 for England.
• According to Land Registry figures in 2009, the average property price in the Lancaster District was around 13 per cent lower than England and Wales.
• Business premises costs in Lancaster are extremely competitive in relation to other Northwest commercial centres: with prime office space in Lancaster available at £10 per square foot. This compares to around £30.00 in Manchester.
• Local businesses have access to one of the best business support packages available. The whole area is eligible under the government's Grants for Business Investment (GBI) scheme which provides discretionary grants for business expansion. This is complemented by locally administered financial assistance.