Basildon has always been a place where new ideas flourish. Innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit are central to the Basildon way of doing things. For example, Basildon is the largest economy in Essex and more businesses start up in Basildon than anywhere else in Essex.
With an economy worth £6.5bn, Basildon is the largest and fastest growing economy in Essex and the second largest in the Thames Gateway area – with only London’s Canary Wharf boasting a more thriving economy.
Basildon is also home to a number of internationally recognised businesses, including the likes of Ford, Case New Holland, Leonardo, SS&C, Fiserv and Costa.
What makes Basildon different from other parts of the country is the high proportion of private sector enterprises per head of population. According to Centre for Cities, Basildon is ranked the 10th largest urban conurbation in the country for the proportion of private sector jobs.
Basildon is also a place that has its eyes firmly on the future - especially when it comes to business and skills. Having long been a home for industry and manufacturing, ready to be a hub of the Thames Estuary Production Corridor, and with more digital jobs, more businesses and more digital skills potential than anyone would expect, Basildon is ready to be the creative digital centre of Essex.
Basildon is only 45 minutes from London Stansted Airport and both Heathrow and Gatwick are within easy reach. More local is London Southend Airport, which currently offers flights to a number of European destinations.
The City of London is only 30 minutes away by train and the journey time by car is approximately 45 minutes depending upon the time of day. The Dartford River Crossing is only 25 minutes from Basildon and the M25 is just 10 km away. And with the Euro Tunnel so close you can be in Paris within 3 hours.
DP World’s London Gateway Port is just 8 miles away and the Port of Tilbury is just 11 miles away – both of which are home to Thames Freeport - an economic zone connecting Ford’s world-class Dagenham engine plant, with an emphasis on introducing electric and autonomous vehicle technologies. Both Harwich and Felixstowe ports are less than 60 miles away.
There’s a reason that the people of Basildon are happy to be there - it’s simply a nice place to live. Greenery on your doorstep, countryside adventures close by, London and Southend a quick hop on a train. Local shops, independent businesses, a shopping centre. Sports, leisure and cultural activities, and more housing space for your buck than the city. There’s no need to overthink what makes residents of the borough choose to live there, or to stay there - the answer is straightforward. It has all the key ingredients for a happy, healthy life.
Basildon boasts excellent sport facilities, Europe’s largest wetland nature reserve as well as numerous parklands and open spaces which offer the best quality of life.
