LANCASTER AND MORECAMBE

• As the most significant retail and administrative centre in north Lancashire, Lancaster is one of the region's key cities, also serving southern Cumbria.
• The area's population of some 134,000 is among the fastest growing in the Northwest. Between 1993 and 2003 the population of Lancaster & Morecambe increased by 2.6% compared to a decrease of 0.6% for the region as a whole.
• In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the 30-64 age group moving into the city.
• The city-area has recorded full-time job growth of 10.3% over the period 1998-2003, which is especially fast, and compares to a significantly slower Northwest growth rate of 4.4%.
• Latest research indicates that organic business growth will create 2,700 new jobs between now and 2015, and a further 5,600 new jobs if the assets of the city-area and University are fully exploited.
• The city-area is a centre of educational excellence, from two secondary schools ranked in the country's top twenty, through to Lancaster & Morecambe College, St Martin's College and Lancaster University, ranked among the UK top twelve educational research centres.
• Lancaster University has an international reputation for the quality of a number of its departments. Its massive contribution to the city-area is being further enhanced by its InfoLab21, six-star management school with its excellence in leadership, and its world class Lancaster Environment Centre.
• Students account for almost 10% of the city-area's population, nearly double the national average, while employment in the higher education sector is four times the UK average.
• Lancaster & Morecambe enjoys excellent communications, just two miles from the M6 and with a main station on the West Coast Line. The Port of Heysham provides a gateway to the Isle of Man and Ireland.
• Business premises costs in Lancaster are extremely competitive in relation to other Northwest commercial centres: with prime office space in Lancaster available at £10 per square foot. This compares to £27.50 in Manchester.
• The cost of local housing is extremely affordable. According to Land Registry figures in September 2005, the average property price, in Morecambe was almost 37% cheaper than the average property in England and Wales.
• A new vision for Lancaster & Morecambe set out by the Lancaster & Morecambe Vision Board in its comprehensive regeneration framework points the way forward for the improved economic, social and environmental well being of the city area.