Newcastle has been judged the best city in the UK in which to work `.
The study, carried out by Startup.co.uk, ranked 66 UK cities based on the cost and ease and working there. It took into account six factors, which included transport links, number of co-working spaces, the cost of a monthly travel pass, the number of coffee shops, the number of bars, and the number of supermarkets.
Newcastle topped the list after it scored highly for the low cost of its monthly travel card (at £50 a month), strong transport infrastructure and busy nightlife.
Other North East cities did not fare so well, however.
Lucy Wayment, from Startups.co.uk, said: “We spend most of the week in the cities we work in and having a good commute, so nice working spaces and plenty of eateries to socialise in can make a huge difference to your general happiness.
“Though London is still a popular choice for those seeking to further their career, the cost of living there cannot compete with northern cities like Newcastle and Manchester which dominate the top spots in our ranking.”
Newcastle was topped ranked of the UK’s 66 cities, ahead of Birmingham, Manchester and Sheffield.
London was sixth in the list while Sunderland was 56th and Durham came second bottom. The Welsh city of St Asaph, which has a population of less than 3,500, was bottom of the list.
The Startup.co.uk research claimed Durham’s poor transport infrastructure, lack of amenities, and low number of co-working spaces made it an unattractive place for people to work in.
Startup.co.uk also described the cost of a monthly travel pass as “frustratingly high”, coming in at around £70.
But Coun Carl Marshall, cabinet member for economic regeneration at Durham County Council, defended the city.
He said: “While we are always looking for ways to improve Durham for those who live and work here, we do not recognise the picture this report paints of our beautiful city.
“As a small city, Durham benefits from a strong sense of community, we have cleaner air and you do not have to travel far to reach the countryside. However, we also boast excellent transport links, including a mainline railway station, easy access to the A1, three park and ride locations.
“Private sector redevelopment already underway at The Gates and Milburngate is delivering new office space, executive accommodation and leisure facilities, while plans to create a multi-million pound business park at Aykley Heads will attract even more businesses to the city.
“The Durham City Incubator also provides support to graduates who are ready to start their own enterprise.
“Add to this our World Heritage Site status and a rich cultural programme, including major events such as Lumiere, Durham really does offer the best of both worlds.”
