Bristol today - an overview of the city

Bristol today - the place to be

Bristol today is an aspirational city, sure of its place as the regional capital of England's south west.  It is confident of its reputation of one of Europe's most powerful economies.

Bristol is arguably the most beautiful city in England.  It has a dramatic landscape and a number of distinctive areas that offer a mix of architectural styles - a legacy of our 800 years of history.

Harbourside

At the heart of the city is the Harbourside area.  It's been transformed in recent years through one of Europe's most successful waterfront regeneration schemes. It is a symbol of Bristol's thriving economy:

• A blend of new housing and business centres.
• Cultural facilities.
• Bars and restaurants.
• Tourist attractions.

Bristol today - a thriving economy

• Landmark developments such as the At-Bristol complex.
• Bristol has the second strongest economy in England outside of London when measured by GDP per head, according to a survey by Barclays Bank.
• Over 160 companies have established their national headquarters in Bristol.
• Bristol International Airport has invested over £50 million since 1997 in new facilities. Daily flights now connect Bristol to dozens of  European and North American cities.

• Bristol is one of the UK's major centres for the financial services sector, employing around 40,000 people in the city.
• The environmental technology sector in Bristol is evolving rapidly, at local, national and international level.
• The Port of Bristol is the UK's largest car import dock.
• Hi-tech businesses, ranging from dynamic young start-ups to Hewlett Packard's national research laboratories.
• Bristol is one of Europe's leading locations for world class micro-electronics and silicon design with over 400 such companies.
• Bristol welcomes over nine million visitors every year.  It is the seventh most popular destination in the UK for overseas visitors.
• Bristol has over 20 business support agencies helping small and start-up businesses.

Bristol today - a skilled workforce

• Bristol attracts 36,000 students to two universities.
• Research by Leeds Metropolitan University shows that Bristol's workforce ranks top in the skills level of English cities outside London.
• 78% of the University of Bristol's academic departments have been independently assessed as world class or internationally excellent.
• The University of the West of England at Bristol (UWE) is one of Britain's most popular universities.  It has more than 23,000 students and a 1,000-strong academic staff.
• We are investing at least £80 million in new secondary school buildings and have made education our top priority.

Bristol today - a cultural centre

• Bristol was shortlisted for the 2008 European Capital of Culture title.
• Bristol has improved its cultural infrastructure - a world class concert venue, a new Museum of Bristol and renovation of our existing arts centres, museums and theatres.
• 25% of all the world's natural history films are produced in Bristol.
• Bristol is home to triple Oscar winner Aardman Animations, creator of Wallace and Gromit and other leading animation and film companies.
• Bristol hosts four international film festivals - Animated Encounters, Brief Encounters, Wildscreen and the Electric December digital arts festival.
• Bristol was the birthplace of the 'Bristol sound' with bands like Massive Attack and Portishead, performers Tricky and Roni Size.  Its club scene is rated as one of the most exciting in the country.
• More than a third of Bristol has conservation area status with over 4,000 heritage buildings.
• The City's Museum and Art Gallery and the Royal West of England Academy house important collections of art.  The Arnolfini is a contemporary arts centre of European renown.
• Bristol Old Vic is the oldest continuously working theatre in the UK.
• Bristol's St Paul's Carnival is one of Europe's premier street festivals. Kuumba is one of the most important multi cultural arts centres in the UK.

Bristol today - what they say about us

"Without doubt, the coolest city in the south west". Lonely Planet Guide

"New technology, the arts and a vibrant youth culture have helped to make this one of Britain's most cutting edge cities". The Rough Guide

"This is a city undergoing dynamic change......great things are happening in Bristol". The Sunday Telegraph

"Of all Britain's cities, few make such a diverse and easy escape from London as the twin sisters of Bristol and Bath". Toronto Sun

"At midnight on Saturday, the whole place is pulsating. Bristol seems to know how to party - a skill some other English cities have mislaid. All hills, history and heavenly design, Bristol is the height of chic". Image Magazine

"Bristol has been at the heart of the UK's aerospace industry for nearly a century - from the world's first military aircraft, the Bristol Boxkite, through to the only operational supersonic airliner, Concorde. Today, we are manufacturing the world's most aerodynamically advanced wings for the family of Airbus airliners, including the A380 super-jumbo which will be delivered to airlines in 2006". Tom Williams, Managing Director, Airbus UK.