Aerospace

The aerospace industry in the South West directly employs over 40,000 people - and the Bristol area is at the heart of this.

As well as the major names like Airbus and Rolls Royce, there are hundreds of smaller enterprises that have a vital role to play.

An estimated 76% of southwest suppliers to the aerospace industry are small or medium sized enterprises. The West of England Aerospace Forum, which acts as a voice for the industry in this region, has seen its membership double in the last year.

Skill shortage There is an emerging skills shortage, but both Bristol University and the University of the West of England both have Aeronautical Engineering Degrees.

Two of the major colleges in the area - City of Bristol College and Filton College, on the doorstep of the largest aerospace companies in the area, have developed a course in aerospace engineering to help with the skills shortage in this area and lead students towards local employers such as BAE Systems, Airbus and Rolls Royce.

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Environmental Technologies - from wind power to waste disposal

40,000 people work in this sector in approximately 1,000 firms across the South West.

Bristol acts as a hub for this sector with national and international organisations such as the Soil Association, Sustrans and Garrad Hassan having their headquarters here.

Environmental industries account for an increasing slice of Bristol's economy and add to the green image of the South West region.

The Create Centre

This re-use of a former warehouse provides a key facility for the promotion and practical application of sustainable development. It is shared by organisations engaged in the business of making Bristol a more sustainable city. This includes

• CSE (Centre for Sustainable Energy)
• Future West
• Recycling Consortium
• Schumacher Society
• VOSCUR
• Training Learning Consultancy
• BTCV
• Accredited Training Centre and Lifeskills
• Sustainable City
• Environmental Quality and Energy Management Teams of the City Council who own and run the building.

Bristol's Environmental Technologies sector consists of a mesh of organisations, industries, small businesses and environmental groups and has a very strong service and educational base.

These businesses tend to be fast growing and have links with other significant industrial sectors such as creative industries and tourism and Bristol's international reputation for wildlife film production.

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Media

Bristol has a vibrant media sector with

• established multi-award winning production companies
• world leading new technologies research
• and major new media creative talent.
• Bristol claims to be the largest media city in the UK after London

Media Training

Bristol is the base for a number of agencies which offer a wide range of training in new media:

• South West Screen, the regional film agency
• Picture This and Black Pyramid promote media activity within local communities
• The DigiT West members MediaWorks
• City of Bristol College
• Netgates and
• Watershed

There are undergraduate and graduate study in media disciplines at:

• City of Bristol College,
• Bristol University and
• UWE

Plus wider training and activity generated through performing and visual arts, and related disciplines these provide a well trained workforce with the range of creative and technical skills.

Natural history and animation

These are well-recognised areas of excellence and there is also a busy documentary and factual sector making programmes for the international market. The high level of production activity is supported by high quality post-production facilities which include some of the first Hi-Definition Suites in Europe.

New media design and games development

There is a growing community of talented individuals and companies providing video and new media design services, games development and interactive solutions for the Internet, including Aardmann Animations (creators of Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run).

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Bristol Film Office

Bristol City Council has set up the Bristol Film Office to promote Bristol as a 'film-friendly' city.

The key objectives of the office are to

• promote the city as a location, through international marketing initiatives
• promote Bristol businesses, facilities and production crew to the industry
• set up and ensure a coherent support service from Bristol City Council
• assist location filming

The office is based in the city centre and will work closely with all organisations and regional support agencies, to ensure the continuing development opportunities for the sector.

Contact:
David Shepheard
Email: info@filmbristol.co.uk
Phone: 0117 922 3958.

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Social Economy

The social economy sector is thriving and innovative - it is made up of

• community businesses
• co-operatives
• local self-help or interest groups.

Activities and services can range from housing and property management, cultural activities, sport, manufacturing, care services and arts - in fact almost any type of income generation.

The Success of the Social Economy in Bristol:

• £223 million annual turnover
• 4.3% of Bristol's GDP
• Over 1000 organisations
• Over 9000 employees
• 21,600 volunteers
• Employee ownership and local democracy
• Training and employment for local people
• Enterprise and self-help in community regeneration
• Innovation and diversity in goods and services
• Creating new wealth within the community

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High Tech / ICT

From computer game design to nanotechnology research and robotics, Bristol has a wealth of local expertise in the high-tech industry. Cabling along the M4 corridor from London provides fast Internet services that act as the backbone for Bristol's e-commerce community.

The Bristol area benefits from a cluster of information communications technology (ICT) and electronics firms.

Major companies with a presence in the sub-region include

• Toshiba Telecommunications Research Laboratory
• Orange
• Hewlett Packard

Bristol has become the south west centre for the Digital Media industry, with local business growth rates among the highest in the UK.

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Financial services

Bristol has the largest employment base in banking, finance and insurance services outside London.

The city's sector is particularly strong in

• insurance
• monetary intermediation
• financial law.

Major players based in Bristol include

• Lloyds TSB
• Bristol and West
• NatWest
• Axa Sun Life
• Halifax/Clerical Medical

Among new and developing areas are financial software and socially responsible investment.

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Printing and packaging

The Printing, Packaging and Graphic Communications sector is the United Kingdom's sixth largest industry, with a turnover of £13 billion.

Over the past 20 years, it has been transformed from a traditional craft-based industry to a leader in ICT and digital technology.

Since the first printing installation in Bristol in 1546, this industry has been a major economic driver of the wider Bristol economy. It represents the largest concentration of printing and packaging in the south west of England and includes leading companies from key market sectors.

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Tourism

Bristol is rapidly establishing itself as one of the UK's top city destinations.

A rejuvenated Harbourside and new attractions, including At-Bristol, have put the heart back into the city, providing a real focus for both visitors and residents. The hospitality sector has kept pace with the city's transformation, with continued growth in accommodation at lodge, four star and town house hotels. The choice of where to eat and drink has never been better as many excellent restaurants, pubs and bars continue to flourish.

Recent considerable capital investment, together with the continued popularity of established attractions, has led to a year on year increase in visitor numbers.

Bristol is consistently one of the top 10 UK destinations for overseas visitors.

A survey in 2000 showed that some 9.1 million visitors came to the city, spending a massive £445 million, and the Tourist Information Centre dealt with nearly 200,000 enquiries.

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