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Ranking 14th nationally as most desirable place to live

 
     
 

The City Council has given a warm welcome to a new report which names Worcester as one of the best places to live in the UK . The Affordable Affluence Index study by the Royal Bank of Scotland ranked Worcester as the 14th most desirable area in a nationwide study.

The study took into account a range of factors that people find most desirable in an area, including:

  • Top-performing schools
  • High-end restaurant chains
  • Theatres, art galleries and museums
  • Stylish bars and coffee houses
  • Sports facilities and clubs
  • Premium motor dealerships
  • Luxury hotels and spas
  • Desirable clothing, footwear and accessory retailers
  • Premium gym chains and hairdressers
  • Quality beauty and cosmetics retailers

The report on Worcester said:

“Magnificent cathedral crowns this eclectic mixture of Georgian, Tudor and Elizabethan architecture, alongside some more modern structures.

The opportunities to spend money in Worcester are excellent, with a great mix of high- end shopping on both the High Street and Friar Street , as well as a broad selection of country, golf and tennis clubs and cricket facilities on the outskirts.

The city has some excellent schools, including Alice Ottley and Royal Grammar. The city of Worcester has an average household income of £37,000 and house prices lie at £240,000. This means that it is higher than the national average in terms of property and income but it remains relatively affordable in comparison to some of the other locations on our list.”

Cllr Simon Geraghty, Leader of Worcester City Council, said he was delighted by Worcester ’s high showing in the survey: “It is clear that the Worcester Renaissance which we have spoken of is now becoming a reality and that the developments which have taken place in recent years and those in the pipeline are having a positive impact on the city.

Worcester is a wonderful, historic city with a rich blend of architectural styles and a lively urban lifestyle but with a rural backdrop that makes it very popular for everyone from single people to young families to retired couples. It is fair to say that the City Council once had a negative reputation for poor planning and decision-making and that we did not always do a great job conserving the best of the past but this independent survey is recognition that we are now managing to make the best of Worcester has to offer, both old and new.

Cllr Geraghty added: “It is encouraging that the report picked up on many of the great things about Worcester in terms of its housing and cultural and environment plusses - but the challenge for us now is to ensure that the quality of life here is enhanced as the city grows and this is where the planning of South Worcestershire through the Joint Core Strategy will become vital for our future prosperity. We will have to work closely with our neighbouring authorities - and of course members of the public - to ensure we create a Worcester which continues to be a great place to live work and visit.”