Dublin still attractive to new firms

DUBLIN still retains its attractiveness as a place to locate a business, but a survey also shows the quality of life in the capital is slipping.

Estate agents Cushman & Wakefield ask companies each year about their future expansion plans across Europe and this year 15 firms said they plan on locating in Dublin in the next five years compared with 26 in London.

Dublin once again topped the European cities monitor for the climate created by government, while Barcelona and Berlin retain the top positions for quality of life and availability of office space. Stockholm rose two places to become the best city in terms of freedom from pollution. Dublin fares highly on the list for quality of life, in 19th, against 11th in 2008. It fell to 26th spot for languages and 22nd for value for money of office space.

It also increased its ranking on the cost of staff, with 16th place but the survey shows there is now better availability of office space in Dublin. London, Paris and Frankfurt remain the three top cities to do business in according to the survey. Dublin came in 20th spot out of 34 countries. This is down from 18th position last year.

&The top factors for companies deciding where to relocate their business are, in order of importance: easy access to markets, customers or clients; availability of quality staff; quality of telecommunications and transport links with other cities and internationally.