Country beats city for innovation

28.04.08

According to the figures, from business analysts MOREL, firms outside big cities are beginning to benefit from increased levels of creativity in their workforces.

Clwyd in Wales, St Ives in Cornwall and Torridge in Devon are among the top five towns tipped to be business hotspots of the future. Meanwhile, other big towns have slid down the scale, with Exeter and Guildford both in the bottom ten of 641 locations.

Researchers said rural areas are becoming more popular because they are increasingly offering the best environment for workforce creativity, stimulating inventive thinking and high productivity.

The report also identified a phenomenon dubbed ‘clone town’, where identical town centres causing bored locals to ‘switch to auto-pilot’ when choosing where to buy a sandwich or coffee, ‘stifling creative thinking’.

Tim Campbell, founder of entrepreneur charity The Bright Ideas Trust, said it is essential we pay attention to innovation happening outside the major cities.

“A creative approach to day to day work is imperative if you want to establish a foothold over the competition,” he said.

“To maintain our competitive advantage in world markets, we need companies to be constantly innovating.”

Lucy Hunt of Cornwall Pure Business added that the success of small towns across the South West shows a business doesn’t have to be in the heart of the city to be successful.

“There are so many benefits to basing a business in an inspiring environment like ours, from the stunning scenery to the academic and research institutions.

“We hope this research encourages more people to come and see for themselves,” she said.

© Crimson Business Ltd. 2008