08/09/11 - Gloucester goes "geek"

Gloucester has just ‘netted’ itself a national reputation – as one of the top cities in the country for ‘geeks.’

The city’s growing reputation as being a hot spot for the knowledge and creative industries has now been cemented in a national survey.

It has been placed second in the country behind Cambridge in a ‘UK Geekiest Cities’ survey conducted by Ebuyer.com the online electrical and computer retailer.

The survey is based on three main criteria, product sales, IT jobs and technical qualifications.

Council Leader Paul James, commented: “I am absolutely delighted. Geeks are really cool people. This proves what we have known for a long time. We have increasing numbers of knowledge based industries in the city. We are becoming a centre for the new technology creative sector and our university and college are helping to produce more people with technical qualifications.

“When you couple all of these things with our geographic location, our wonderful facilities and the fact that this a great part of the world to live and work in then it is clear why so many investors are wanting to come here.

“New technology in all its forms is a major driving force in the modern economy. It is fantastic that Gloucester is showing that it is at the forefront of these developments.”

End

PR/082/2011

September 8^th, 2011