Deborah Meaden, Dragons Den says 'Somerset has just about everything' for business services sector'

Dragonsí Den entrepreneur Deborah Meaden says Somerset offers a host of advantages for the business services sector.

Deborah, who was born and lives in Somerset, says it provides excellent transportation links, communications, a skilled workforce, entrepreneurial spirit – and a wonderful lifestyle.

ìI feel very lucky to live and work in Somerset. It is a lovely county. Somerset has just about everything.
I could choose to live and work anywhere, but I have chosen Somerset because it gives me the kind of rural life that I want, but with direct and easy access to London and overseas.
ìSomerset is wonderfully located. It has the benefit of being a great place to work and a great place to live. Businesses need good people and Somerset is attracting a lot of very good people who want to enjoy its quality of life.î
The popular BBC TV Dragonsí Den panellist has filmed a new webcast for inward investment organisation Into Somerset at www.intosomerset.com/video/deborah-meaden-interview, explaining why Somerset is an ideal location for business growth.

Somersetís business service sector employs around 31,600 workers – up 37.3% for the five years to 2005. Crucially, Somerset is attracting many high-value microbusinesses that make up the majority of the countyís thriving knowledge economy.

Somerset offers exciting business and lifestyle opportunities for mobile, knowledge-based professionals. Many are 25-44 year olds who have the freedom to choose exactly where they want to work and live with their families.
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P2Ö Deborah Meaden says Somerset has ëjust about everythingí for business services sector
Deborah says Somersetís fast transport links are a key factor. ìI can get on the train in Taunton and I am in Paddington in under an hour and 40 minutes. If I lived on the outskirts of London, I would not be able to get in that quickly.
ìWithin 10 minutes I am on the A303. In 20 minutes I am on the M4. I am 45 minutes from Bristol Airport and 30 minutes from Exeter Airport. Think about that. This is not a rural, sleepy county.î

Somerset also offers business services specialists an excellent communications network, with some of the best broadband connectivity rates in the UK.

Its entrepreneurial spirit is demonstrated by the fact that Somerset has the highest business start-up rates outside of London.

Somerset provides an enviable lifestyle, thanks to its beautiful countryside; great beaches; pretty coves; diverse landscape including the Moors and Levels; attractive architecture and more.

Into Somerset is the countyís new inward investment organisation. Funded by the local authorities and chaired by Honor Chapman CBE, the first CEO of Think London, the project brings together the public and private sector to promote Somerset as a thriving business destination.

Honor says, ìInto Somerset is an innovative project encouraging inward investment and promoting indigenous business growth with the message that Somerset offers a wonderful lifestyle and opportunities for business development.î