
Birmingham, UK
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About Birmingham, UK
Birmingham's economy is dominated
by the service sector, which in 2003 accounted for 78% of the
city's economic output and 97% of its economic
growth.
Two of Britain's "big four" banks were founded in Birmingham
- Lloyds Bank (now Lloyds TSB) in 1765 and the Midland Bank
(now HSBC Bank plc) in 1836 - and today the city employs
108,000 in banking, finance and insurance.
In 2007, Cushman & Wakefield stated that Birmingham was
the third best place in the United Kingdom to locate a
business, and the 21st best in Europe.
Tourism is also an increasingly important part of the local
economy. With major facilities such as the International
Convention Centre and National Exhibition Centre the Birmingham
area accounts for 42% of the UK conference and exhibition
trade. The city's sporting and cultural venues attract large
numbers of visitors.
With an annual turnover of £2.2bn, Birmingham city centre is
the UK's second largest retail centre, with the country's
busiest shopping centre - the Bullring - and the largest
department store outside London - House of Fraser on
Corporation Street.
The City also has one of only four Selfridges department
stores, and the second largest branch of Debenhams in the
country.
Despite the decline of manufacturing in the city several
significant industrial plants remain, including Jaguar Cars in
Castle Bromwich and Cadbury Trebor Bassett in Bournville.
Although the city has seen economic growth greater than the
national average in the 21st century the benefits have been
uneven, with commuters from the surrounding area obtaining many
of the more skilled jobs.
The two parliamentary constituencies with the highest
unemployment rates in the UK - Ladywood and Sparkbrook and
Small Heath - are both in inner-city Birmingham.
Growth has also added to stresses on the city's transport.
Many major roads and the central New Street railway station
operate over capacity at peak times.
Other Major Cities:
- London
- Glasgow
- Liverpool
- Leeds
- Sheffield
- Manchester
- Bristol
- Edinburgh
- Leicester
- Kingston upon Hull
- Coventry
- Cardiff
- Bradford
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