Living And Working In Wakefield

Wakefield is a cathedral city located in West Yorkshire, approximately one hundred and seventy five miles from London. It lies on the River Calder and is situated not too far from Leeds and only thirty miles from York. The nearest airport is Leeds Bradford Airport. A direct train from either of the two main stations in Wakefield will get you into London in around two hours.

Wakefield dates as far back as prehistoric times. It flourished during the Roman occupation and then later became an important market town in the Middle Ages. In the 19th century, Wakefield grew significantly due to the Industrial Revolution , particularly in textiles and coal mining. Wakefield played its part in the famous War of the Roses - particularly in the early stages of the conflict, which were a series of civil wars fought in England during the 15th century, primarily between two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet - the House of Lancaster which was represented by a red rose and the House of York, represented by a white rose.

Recently described as a city on the rise, Wakefield, which has a multi billion pound economy, has been identified as having high investor confidence, a highly skilled workforce and a strong and resilient business community. Millions of pounds of investment has gone into the city with exciting projects such as the Wakefield Waterfront development, the Wakefield Civic Quarter project and the transformation of the Market Hall into the Wakefield Exchange.

There has been an increasing demand for office space in the city over recent years for companies relocating here which benefit from the close proximity to other major cities such as Manchester, Leeds and York. Wakefield, which is fast becoming the destination choice for many, has a number of  big name businesses which specialise in the production of textiles, chemicals and engineering components. Advanced manufacturing, engineering, logistics, warehousing, professional and financial services, digital technology and creative, healthcare and retail are all strong sectors with the city also being a significant distribution hub due to its strategic location within the UK.

Wakefield College is the largest college in the district and has provided education and training in Wakefield and the surrounding area since 1868. It offers university level courses, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees as well as apprenticeships and vocational courses.

There is much to keep you entertained in Wakefield. Just a sample of the many attractions include The National Coal Mining Museum which offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the history of coal mining through interactive exhibits, guided tours and visiting the underground mine. The Yorkshire Sculpture Park is the UK’s leading outdoor art gallery and showcases modern and contemporary sculptures while The Hepworth Wakefield is Yorkshire’s award winning gallery. Enjoy the ruins of Sandal Castle which played its part in the War of the Roses while enjoying views of the surrounding countryside. The stunning Cathedral with its striking tower and beautiful stained glass windows has been welcoming people for over one thousand years and although it is one of the smallest cathedrals in England, it holds great historical and architectural significance.

Wakefield boasts several unique green spaces with several parks, open spaces and nature reserves which include Thornes Park, Pugneys Country Park, Newmillerdam Country Park and Heath Common.

Wakefield offers a variety of shopping experiences from high street stores to unique boutiques and markets. It is also home to several theatres and performance venues and it has a great night life with a diverse mix of bars, pubs, clubs and late night dining.

Wakefield offers a balanced lifestyle  which combines affordability, excellent career prospects in a thriving economy, cultural richness and a great community spirit which makes it a highly attractive choice for both individuals and families alike.

The next event being hosted by the UK Careers Fair will be held on April 18th between 10am - 2pm. The venue is Unity Hall, WF1 1EP. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, this beautiful listed building consists of over twenty office spaces, five conference rooms and two hall spaces.