Barcelona is one of Spain’s cultural and economic gems, and it’s helping to slowly but surely revive the Spanish economy, which has been through a rather turbulent period. Madrid, in the centre of the country, might be Spain’s capital and where its financial centre lies, while the south of Spain is where the tourists have historically flocked to. However, Barcelona can certainly give both of these regions a run for its money. If you don’t already, here’s what you need to know about business in Barca…

• The economy is on the up in the Catalonian region, with the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce claiming in February that the region’s GDP would grow by 2.5% in 2015, this follows a 1.3% growth in 2014. The region in 2014 had a better performance than that of Spain as a whole.
• The car manufacturing industry is a major contributor to the economy of the wider Barcelona area. Spain’s own SEAT is headquartered here, which in 2014 oversaw the production of 442,677 cars. The demand for models such as the León helped to push production up by 13.5%, its highest level for 12 years. This demand for production also helped to create 800 temporary positions, 350 of which turned to permanent roles.^[i] Nissan also has a manufacturing plant in the area, and announced in 2013 that it would aim to produce 80,000 new cars per year helping to create 1,000 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs.^[ii]
• Barcelona is increasingly growing as a fashion and style capital. Its amazing architecture has always been indicative of its trend setting ability and this is increasingly more so translating into the fashion world. In 2014, it was named fifth in The Global Language Monitor’s rankings of global fashion capitals and the top for swimwear. The company also estimates that the fashion industry employs 100,000 people in the Barcelona region, generating revenues of €13 billion per year.

• The Fira de Barcelona is one the world’s leading conference venues and plays host to over 70 trade shows. These shows combined have helped to attract over 2.5 million visitors, but more importantly they’ve helped to contribute more than €2.5 billion to Barcelona’s economy. Mobile World Congress (MWC) and the International Motor Show to name but a few take place in its spacious halls.^[iii] MWC 2015 alone is estimated to have created an economic impact of €436 million.^[iv]
• Businesses based or headquartered in Barcelona include Chupa Chups, S.A. Damm, the parent company of Estrella Damm beer, low-cost airline Vueling, SEAT and fashion brands Mango, Massimo Dutti and Desigual.
• The city attracts nearly eight million tourists a year making Barcelona one of the most popular destinations in Europe.^[v] Las Ramblas, La Sagrada Familia and Museu Picasso are a few of the city’s delightful attractions.
• Fútbol goes hand in hand with the city and is one of its key attractions, playing host to perhaps the most star studded and famous team in the world; FC Barcelona. Forbes estimates that it has revenue of $627 million placing it second globally only to its great rival Real Madrid.  Its stadium, Camp Nou, is the largest in Europe with a capacity of 100,000 and the Camp Nou Experience (which includes a tour of the stadium, museum and multimedia space) is the third most visited attraction in Spain.^[vi]

Did you know?

• Legends abound regarding the founding of the city. One states it was founded 400 years before Rome by Hercules, the other says it was founded by Hamilcar Barca in the 3rd century. Which one to believe?^[vii]
• Barcelona is the only city to receive a Royal Gold Medal for architecture. The Royal Institute of British Architects awarded this on behalf of Queen Elizabeth in 1999 for the influence the city’s architecture has had around the world.
• The city’s Montjuic Park is the largest in Spain.^[viii]
• The city has 12 abandoned metro stations, many of which are believed to be haunted.^[ix]
• Now here’s a crazy fact for you, Barcelona didn’t have any beaches until 1992! The city’s coast used to be dominated by industries but when it came to host the Olympic Games in 1992, it was decided to make the coastline a place of leisure for tourists and residents.

If your business isn’t based in Barcelona, but you’d like a virtual presence there today by acquiring a local 93 number, then let us know – we’re here to help.

^[i] Catalan News Agency, http://www.catalannewsagency.com/business/item/seat-increases-sales-by-10-and-production-at-its-greater-barcelona-plant-grows-by-13-in-2014
^[ii] Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/04/us-nissan-spain-idUSBRE9130RR20130204
^[iii] Fira Barcelona, http://www.firabarcelona.com/en/who-we-are
^[iv] Catalan News Agency, http://www.catalannewsagency.com/business/item/barcelona-s-mobile-world-congress-to-generate-436-million-for-the-local-economy
^[v] Catalan News Agency, http://www.catalannewsagency.com/life-style/item/barcelona-is-the-fourth-european-city-with-the-most-tourists-after-london-paris-and-rome
^[vi] FC Barcelona, http://www.fcbarcelona.com/club/detail/article/barca-museum-ends-2011-with-record-visitors-and-turnover
^[vii] Nile Guide, https://www.nileguide.com/destination/barcelona/overview/local-info
^[viii] Iberica Travel, http://iberica-travel.com/en/barcelona
^[ix] Apartime, http://www.apartime.com/blog/culture-tourism/10-interesting-facts-about-barcelona

Dublin is the Emerald Isle’s economic, political and cultural heartbeat. Music, culture, history and nature at its finest, form a multifaceted backdrop to its many business advantages. Dublin and Ireland in general, have been through a rough few years economically but now things are starting to look up once again. Here’s everything you need to know about Dublin…

• Many countries in the EU have been hard hit by the recession since the collapse in 2007 and Ireland is no exception. However, the Irish government recently announced that its 7.7 per cent annual growth rate makes it the fastest growing economy in the European Union. The Nevin Economic Research Institute recently announced too that the economic recovery of Ireland was exclusively concentrated in the capital.
• Name an internet or tech giant and the likelihood is that they’ll have an office or European headquarters in Dublin. It’s home to 10 of the top 10 global ICT companies and 9 of the top 10 global software companies.^[i] The Silicon Docks area of the city (a name play on Silicon Valley) plays home to many of these giants and keeps an estimated 7000 people in employment. ^[ii]Companies located in Silicon Docks or other areas of the city include Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Microsoft, Dell, Airbnb and j2 Global to name just a few.
• 840,000 people are employed in the Dublin region according to the city’s Chamber of Commerce. Businesses including household names such as Jury’s Inn, Paddy Power, Primark, Ryanair and Aer Lingus were either founded or are headquartered here.
• Several leading global companies have just announced the creation of new jobs in the Dublin area. LogMeIn will create 90 jobs over the next three years, Airbnb 200 new positions in the coming months, Lexis Nexis 70 new jobs, American Biopharmaceutical 40 new jobs, and the construction of a new campus in the city by Microsoft will create 150 new roles.

• The International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) was created to promote Ireland as a leading place for international financial service companies, and has banks such as Citibank trading within it. It states that it provides total direct employment of 32,700 and contributes to 7.4 per cent of the country’s GDP.
• Like any major European city, tourism is vital for Dublin’s economy. The Temple Bar area, Dublin Zoo and other attractions such as The James Joyce Centre keep the visitors coming. In 2013 the city attracted 3.9 million international visitors, generating €1.4 billion in revenue. The boom continued in 2014: occupancy rates for hotel rooms in the city reached nearly 80 per cent, the highest level since before the recession.^[iii] Fáilte Ireland, the country’s National Tourism Development Authority, has stated that more hotels will be needed to cope with the sustained increase in Ireland’s popularity among global travellers.
• And we couldn’t have a blog on Dublin without mentioning the one thing that goes hand in hand with the city, Ireland and anything Irish for that matter; Guinness. 10 million pints of Guinness are manufactured every day at St James’s Gate Brewery and 1.8 billion pints are sold globally every year. The Guinness Storehouse is the city’s most visited tourist attraction and helps to keep 150 people in employment. ^[iv]

Did you know?

• The name Dublin originates from the old Gaelic words ‘Dubh’ and ‘Lin’ which translate into ‘black pool’. The ‘black pool’ refers to the where the River Poddle enters the River Liffey, the river that flows through the city.
• The city has many famous sons and daughters including George Bernard Shaw, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, Bono, Bob Geldof, Sinead O’Connor,  Jonathan Rhys Meyers, just to name a few.
• The Brazen Head on Dublin’s Bridge Street Lower is said to be Ireland’s oldest pub and has been on the same site since 1198.
• Handel’s legendary Messiah received its world premiere in the city on 13 April 1742.
• Leo the Lion, the lion in the opening of MGM films was born and reared in Dublin Zoo, rooooaaaaooowwwwww!

If your business isn’t based in Dublin, but you’d like a virtual presence there today by acquiring a local 01 number, then let us know – we’re here to help.

^[i] Dublin Chamber of Commerce, http://www.dubchamber.ie/policy/economic-profile-of-dublin
^[ii] Finfacts, http://www.finfacts.ie/irishfinancenews/article_1028633.shtml
^[iii] Dublin Chamber of Commerce, http://www.dubchamber.ie/policy/economic-profile-of-dublin
^[iv] Guinness Storehouse, http://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/PressRelease.aspx?prid=61

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and commercial centre. It may only have a population of around 600,000, but when it comes to business it certainly packs a punch. Here’s some more info…

• According to Start Up Britain, Glasgow saw 8,173 new businesses created in 2014. That’s more than Edinburgh, Bristol, Liverpool, Cardiff, Leeds and Newcastle.
• Once upon a time, Glasgow was the world’s pre-eminent centre for shipbuilding. Although that time has long past, BAE Systems is having a big say in ensuring the city’s manufacturing legacy lives on. It’s recently secured an £859 million contract with the British Government to develop new warships for the Royal Navy. The new ships will be built at BAE’s Glasgow shipyards, creating 600 jobs in the area.
• Glasgow has a thriving financial services sector, which has given Edinburgh’s a real run for its money in recent years. The International Financial Services District based in the city is a project that was created to attract national and international financial services providers to the city centre area. It’s estimated to have created over 15,500 new jobs since 2001, attracting international investment banks such as J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley. ^[1]

• Official research from Glasgow City Council found that 2014’s Commonwealth Games generated £282million worth of tourism for the city. The spectacle attracted 690,000 people with hotel occupancy reaching 95% during the event. Even better from the taxpayers’ point of view, the cost of the games in total came in at £37m under budget. It was anticipated by The Accounts Commission that £461.7m would be spent, but the final bill came in at £424.5m instead.
• Glasgow doesn’t need to host a Commonwealth Games every year though to keep the tourists flocking through its gates. Open Glasgow states that the city receives 2.2million visitors a year, which generates £578 million for the economy. The MTV Europe Awards is just one example of a recent event that helped to bring the visitors in. Other attractions include St Andrew’s Cathedral, the Glasgow Science Centre and of course, Scottish football giants Celtic F.C.
• Transport links to the city are thriving. Glasgow Airport just recorded its busiest February in eight years with more than 510,000 passengers travelling through its doors. The airport will see Virgin Atlantic launch a direct route to Las Vegas later in the year and Lufthansa will launch a direct route to Munich, and that’s just to name a few new routes!
• Businesses based or founded in Glasgow include the world famous Lipton tea, Optical Express and Scottish Power.

Did you know?

Glasgow’s subway was the world’s third underground railway after London and Budapest. ^[2]

The first ever official football match between England and Scotland took place in 1872 in the Patrick area of the city.

Some famous Glaswegian’s born in the city and its surrounding areas include entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne, the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, chef Gordon Ramsay and controversial comedian Frankie Boyle.

There are over 20 towns in the United States named Glasgow.^[3]

The word ‘Glaswegian’, used to describe the city’s inhabitants, is first thought to have been brought into use by Sir Walter Scott in 1817.^[4]

If your business isn’t based in Glasgow, but you’d like a virtual presence there today by acquiring a local 0141 number, then let us know – we’re here to help.

^[1] IFSDG Glasgow, http://www.ifsdglasgow.co.uk/why-ifsd/facts–figures
^[2] Transport Trust, http://www.transporttrust.com/10044.html
^[3] Primary Facts, http://primaryfacts.com/3610/glasgow-facts-and-information/
^[4] Daily Express, http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/top10facts/453530/Top-10-facts-about-Glasgow

As the Welsh capital, Cardiff is a well-established hub for UK business. In fact, business runs in the city’s veins as the world’s first £1million pound deal was sealed here in 1907 in Cardiff’s Coal Exchange. Now I bet you didn’t know that! The coal and steel industries that helped to make this city so great may not exist today in the way they once did, but they truly helped to transform Cardiff into the place it is now. Here’s a few more things you might not know about business in Cardiff.

• 6,327 new businesses were started in the city in 2015 according to Start Up Britain; that’s one new business for every 55 of Cardiff’s estimated 350,000 population.
• Science has a strong presence in the city, fostered by Cardiff University, which in November 2013 opened a £30m science centre. The city’s Life Sciences Hub also helps to keep this sector thriving, acting as a centre point for the industry. It’s recently signed up global healthcare companies MSD and B&V Life Sciences as members.

• Businesses based or founded in Cardiff include insurance giant Admiral, retailer Peacocks and directory enquiries provider 118 118. British Airways also has a large maintenance base at the city’s airport in order to carry out heavy duty repairs on long haul aircraft.
• Transport links to the city are booming. Flybe recently announced 10 new routes from Cardiff airport to European business hubs such as Geneva, while the airport is currently in discussion with Emirates about a Middle East route. The airport also desires to land a direct route into the US.
• Network Rail also has plans to redevelop Cardiff central station to meet the forecasted rail travel increase to the Welsh capital from 13 million journeys per year to 33 million by 2043. This will only serve to make the capital more connected to other areas of the UK.
• The move by Flybe has created 50 new jobs at the airport and future routes will only add to this. Further good news for employment in the region is that BT recently announced plans to create 1,000 apprenticeship and graduate jobs in Cardiff, Swansea and North Wales. Admiral also announced in January 2015 that it will create 150 new jobs in the city.
• The opening of the city’s Millennium Stadium in June 1999 ensured Cardiff would become a key draw for major sporting and entertainment events. It’s the home to the Welsh Rugby Union team and throughout the year it hosts numerous rugby, football and motorsport spectacles. It even hosted the FA Cup while Wembley underwent redevelopment between 2001 and 2006. Concerts have been played at the venue by worldwide acts such as Bon Jovi, U2, Paul McCartney, Rihanna and in June 2015, One Direction will play here. An independent report carried out by Econactive for the Welsh Rugby Union in late 2013 found the stadium generates £130m a year for Cardiff and helps to keep more than 2,500 people in employment.
• Being the Welsh capital it’s no surprise that media presence is strong, with BBC Wales and ITV Cymru Wales headquartered here. And of course, who could forget that one of Britain’s most famous and most exported programmes – Doctor Who – is also filmed in the city! Apparently, it’s one of BBC Worldwide’s top five most watched programmes globally. Powerful beings those Daleks.

Did you know?

• The name Cardiff is the Anglicised version of the Welsh name Caerdyf, which originates from Roman Times and refers to the river and castle of the city.
• Some famous people from here include Dame Shirley Bassey, Griff Rhys Jones, Gareth Bale and Ryan Giggs.
• It officially became the capital city of Wales on 20th December 1955, proclaimed by the then Home Secretary Gwilym Lloyd George.
• Cardiff was the site of Britain’s first ever news film in 1896, which captured the Prince and Princess of Wales opening an extension to the Central Library. ^[1]
• Llandaff Cathedral dates back to 1107 and it stands on one of the oldest Christian sites in the UK according to Visit Cardiff.

If your business isn’t based in Cardiff, but you’d like a virtual presence there today by acquiring a local 029 number, then let us know – we’re here to help.

^[1] Visit Cardiff, http://www.visitcardiff.com/discover/cardiff-did-you-know/