Situated in the leafy county of Berkshire, Bracknell is ideally located within London’s Commuter Belt and borders Reading and Wokingham as well as plenty of lush green countryside.
In recent years, Bracknell has emerged as a highly desirable destination for homebuyers, capturing the attention of those seeking the perfect blend of modern living and suburban charm with its proximity to the likes of Swinley Forest and Crowthorne Wood, as well as great connections with neighbouring employment hubs of Reading and London.
Known primarily as a prominent centre of activity for the technology and business sectors, this vibrant town is now recognised for its impressive town centre redevelopment, abundant green spaces, and thriving community. As more people discover Bracknell’s unique offerings – from its excellent schools and leisure facilities to its convenient transport links – the town’s appeal continues to grow.
Here, we delve deeper into macro and micro economic factors which are helping to shape Bracknell as the jewel of the South East.
Booming Local Economy
Bracknell, situated in the heart of the UK’s “Silicon Valley”, benefits from a huge technology sector as well as proximity and great connections to London and its varied job market. This has resulted in strong economic statistics which showcase the strength of Bracknell’s offering to residents. These include:
High-earning job opportunities and more disposable income
According to official labour market statistics (covering disposable incomes from 1997 – 2021), Bracknell’s average disposable income was 16.2% higher than the average for all local authorities in the UK. This affluence can be attributed to several factors, including a strong local economy supported by major industries such as technology, retail, and financial services.
Additionally, Bracknell’s strategic location and excellent transport links to London and other major cities enhances its appeal for high income professionals seeking a suburban lifestyle with easy commutes and access to urban amenities.
Data also revealed that there was a higher percentage of Managers, Directors and Senior Official positions in Bracknell than in the wider South East. The tech town boasts 16.9% of its workforce in these roles, compared to 13.1% in the wider South East region and just 10.8% in Great Britain as a whole.
Employment rate
Bracknell offers an extremely attractive employment landscape, with a booming technology sector, plenty of hospitality and retail jobs brought to the town centre by regeneration as well as easy, direct transport connections to London’s coveted job market.
Latest census and labour market statistics shows that 83.3% of the Bracknell Forest population are employed, higher than the 82.3% of the South East in general and 78.6% for Great Britian. Similarly, Bracknell’s unemployment rate sits at just 3.1%, compared to the wider South East’s 3.2% and the UK’s 4.4%.
High growth businesses
Bracknell is home to a range of high-growth businesses, making it a significant economic hub in the Thames Valley region. This growth is driven by the presence of several global corporations and innovative startups, particularly in the technology and information sectors. Companies like Dell, Honda and 3M have established major operations in Bracknell, benefiting from the town’s strategic location and excellent transport links.
Bracknell’s Lexicon shopping centre has also brought in over 170 new businesses and continues to attract new businesses due to its impressive footfall.
Compared to the UK average of 20 businesses between 2017 and 2022, Bracknell boasts 30, exemplifying the positive affect the Lexicon’s 2017 opening has had on the local economy.
Thriving Community
A huge draw for homebuyers, Bracknell’s boasts a vibrant, tight-knit community which has contributed to a significant growth in population in recent years – cementing Bracknell’s position as one of London’s best commuter towns.
One of the driving factors in building this strong sense of togetherness was the introduction of numerous public spaces and its wealth of community events as part of the on-going 20-year regeneration scheme.
In fact, Bracknell town centre’s transformation was crowned Winner of Activation at The Pineapple Awards 2022, celebrating its placemaking and place-led initiatives and the positive social and economic impacts on the local community.
Community Groups
As well as an abundance of active community centres in the area, these community groups serve as the foundation of social interaction, support, and positive change within the community. These include:
- Bracknell Forest Community Hubs: The Community Hubs are located across Bracknell and provide a range of services and activities for the community.
- The Bracknell Forest Community Network, Bracknell Forest Volunteer Centre, and Bracknell Forest Community Hubs all play a vital role in supporting the community in Bracknell.
- Bracknell Forest Community Network (BFCN): The BFCN provides a range of support services to people in the community, including mental health support, social activities, and employment advice.
- Bracknell Forest Volunteer Centre: The Volunteer Centre helps people to find volunteer opportunities in Bracknell. They also provide support and training to volunteers.
Community Events
Bracknell Festival
The annual Bracknell Festival showcases live music, food stalls, and various entertainment options, serving as a focal point for social interaction and community engagement.
Farmers market
Bracknell Market runs on every Friday and Saturday, 9am – 4pm, outside Princess Square in Bracknell town centre. A local favourite, it offers fresh produce and locally sourced meats, street food stalls and small, local artisan sellers which vary from week to week. It’s a great chance to support the local community and has become well known in the wider Berkshire area.
Rising Homebuyer Confidence in the South East
As the Bank of England announce a 0.25% reduction in base rates – the first cut four years – homebuyers and mortgage holders will be breathing a sigh of relief as lower mortgage rates begin to filter into the market.
Homebuyer confidence in the South East has been high for some time, given the desirability of the region and the Bank of England’s decision to hold base rates, rather than increase them over the course of the last 12 months.
Our Bracknell Area Guide is a useful starting point if you’re looking to move into the local area. Discover more about parks and green spaces, drinking and dining opportunities as well as a range of things to do in Bracknell.
Final Phase of Apartments for Sale in Bracknell
The final phase of apartments has now been released at The Grand Exchange.
Boasting a high specification as well as a wealth of additional residential amenities unique to Bracknell’s residential landscape; The Grand Exchange offers homebuyers a high standard of living and unmatched convenience.
