Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership has hailed a snapshot pinpointing Worcester as the happiest place in the Midlands and one of the happiest in the UK.
Rightmove’s 2013 Happy At Home Index put the city top regionally and in the top ten nationally – in eighth place behind winner Harrogate.
LEP chairman Peter Pawsey said: “This is a vote of confidence in our County, confirming what those of us who are resident in Worcestershire already know … that it is a great place in which to live – and to work and play!”
The Index – a survey of just under 40,000 people, measuring how the public feels about where they live – was based on twelve separate measures including covering their home (investment, well-being, pride and costs), their community (safety, amenities, recreation and neighbourliness) and their property (décor, space, contentment and value).
In particular Worcester was deemed very strong for recreation.
Mr Pawsey said: “This is not a surprise because recreation is one of our strengths.
“Worcestershire offers fantastic sporting and cultural attractions – all set in breathtaking landscape and areas of outstanding natural beauty in the heart of England. Worcestershire combines city and urban energy with refreshing rural peace.
“And it is also a magnificent business location with great transport connections.
“It is home to a flourishing business community with world class companies successfully competing in diverse markets at home and abroad. It offers a high quality workforce with skilled and talented people, who possess ideas and innovation, breaking new ground in industry sectors such as cyber security and high tech manufacturing.
“Rightmove are absolutely right – we have lots to offer and, with the help of independent reports such as this, we are getting the message across.”