Winchester has a dynamic and robust economy which underpins high living standards for its residents and offers attractive opportunities for the right investors and retailers to benefit from a lucrative market.

Ranked top in the Royal Mail UK Happiness Index of 2019, Winchester has high levels of enterprise supported by high average earnings and a highly skilled workforce. The pool of academic talent is driven by two universities, colleges and a range of good schools including a number of independent options. There is a low crime rate and high levels of life expectancy. Efficient road, rail and air transport links, makes Winchester an easily accessible, attractive proposition to relocate an existing or start a new business. 

Winchester’s businesses are thriving and demand for business space outstrips supply, as underpinned by a recent commercial property market study undertaken by enteriseM3, reporting Winchester having a prestige value for HQ investors. Due to this pent up demand the city has embarked on an ambitious £360m regeneration programme, in addition to 8000 houses being built locally to meet demand, all of which promises an optimistic long term outlook for businesses in Winchester. 

Winchester City Council, Network Rail, and London & Continental Railways (LCR) are currently exploring potential opportunities for regeneration in the area around Winchester Railway Station and whether a viable, local and community driven vision can be developed on their respective surrounding sites.

Environmental, economic, and social wellbeing all lie at the heart of what we want to create. This is an opportunity to explore transforming a key gateway to Winchester and protecting what makes the city special. With your help we’re keen to deliver:

• An exciting, sustainable and financially viable development,
• A safe user-focused transport hub
• Enhanced public realm
• A mix of uses for the benefit of existing and future generations.

At this stage, we are exploring all the options and we need our community to help us to shape a vision.

Find out more information and keep up to date.

 

This exciting programme of development will bring positive change to an area of the city centre by delivering a vibrant new retail, cultural and heritage setting within an exceptional public realm.  The newly pedestrian-friendly quarter of Winchester will further enrich the distinctive brand for our city by creating a place of cultural and social experience, incorporating a network of streets and spaces for the enjoyment of residents, workers and visitors.

We've appointed Jigsaw Consortium trading as Partnerships & Places to bring forward the Central Winchester Regeneration (CWR) project in the city centre.

Following extensive public engagement and community consultation, the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) sets out a vibrant regeneration in a circa four-acre area of the city with a wide-ranging mix of uses including flexible work and creative spaces, food and drink offerings, a hotel and new high-quality public spaces. The proposals also include new homes to suit people of all life-stages, with a range of tenures available including private sale, homes for rent and affordable housing.

Full information here.

The Times describes Winchester as ‘clever, cultured and convenient’.  Once the capital of England, the bustling city centre is steeped in history and heritage, a proud cathedral city with an eye to the future. Unspoilt open spaces, a vibrant cultural, arts and events programme, an enviable independent and high-end food and drink offer and a £35m investment in a new leisure centre makes Winchester an attractive place to work, live and play.  

Winchester continues to support a strong visitor economy with over 5 million visitors to Winchester each year, generating over £322m to the local economy.  The area’s professional services, retail, knowledge and creative industries, land-based businesses and public sector organisations are well served – both in terms of customer profile and potential employees.  

The High Street is flourishing with low vacancy rates and a 72% growth in retail revenue. To find out more about 'who's here' click on the download to the right of this webpage. It is home to a high percentage of successful independent businesses alongside well-known high street brands.  Beyond the city and market towns there is a thriving rural economy across a district that spans 250 square miles and is a gateway to the South Downs National Park.

Are you looking to grow your business in the Winchester District? The Economy team have created district-wide register of vacant commercial properties to support inward investment and business expansion. The register is updated regularly to keep you informed of any vacancy changes as and when they happen.

You can find the register here. ^{(xlsx, 51kb)}

For more information contact Ellen Evans at eevans@winchester.gov.uk.

The Economy team have compiled a register of co-working spaces available across the district. In line with the Council’s Green Economic Development Strategy, this register aims to outline the flexible, affordable grow-on/SME space that is available in the district. 

You can find the register here. ^{(pdf, 108kb)}

If you provide a co-working space in your area, or would like to find out more, please contact Ellen Evans at eevans@winchester.gov.uk.

As the retail and high street landscapes evolve, there is a growing need to repurpose empty retail units. With the ongoing rise of e-commerce and changing consumer behaviours, the volume of vacant retail units across the UK continues to increase. As a whole, the Winchester district’s vacancy rates are lower than the UK national average, however that doesn’t mean we should be complacent.

Our Technical Advice Note aims to provide guidance for those involved (including developers, landlords and potential tenants) in repurposing vacant retail spaces to ensure a vibrant local economy and the vitality of our district’s high streets. There is a need for repurposing vacant units to revitalise urban areas and meet the evolving needs of communities.

The aim of our document is to help those involved to understand how to repurpose retail spaces. Repurposing presents an opportunity to add to the Winchester district’s offer, continuing to stimulate economic growth and enhance community wellbeing.

The Winchester district has unique strengths and assets, which encourages strong economic growth and capitalises on green growth opportunities. The dynamic Winchester District Ten-Year Green Economic Development Strategy aims to ensure the district benefits from the new jobs, skills and services we will need in the future.

Please find the document on the right hand side of this webpage. This guidance is not exhaustive and if you have any questions, please contact our Sector Project Officer, Emily Reason, at: ereason@winchester.gov.uk.

Winchester City Council has prioritised inward investment and there is tailored support available to businesses who are attracted to what the city and the wider district have to offer.

Contact: awoods@winchester.gov.uk

Telephone: 01962 848 347