BRACKNELL is open for business’ — that was the message earlier this week after it was revealed an American drugs giant is set to move to the town. 

Eli Lilly will move its research centre to Arlington Square, just off Downshire Way, as it relocates from Surrey. 

The move means the pharmaceutical company will follow in the footsteps of so many other multinational companies by settling in the town, recently described as the ‘Silicon Valley’ of the Thames Valley by Bracknell MP James Sunderland

Marc Brunel-Walker, Bracknell Forest Council’s economic development boss, told the News he thinks there are a number of reasons businesses choose to come to the town, including: 

  • Being close to Heathrow and London
  • The availability of Bracknell Forest’s “excellent” schools, leisure facilties and green spaces
  • A high-skilled workforce
  • The impact of The Lexicon and the shops and restaurants on offer in the town centre

He said: "We continue to grow and I’ve got no doubt after coronavirus is over, Bracknell will continue to thrive. 

“It’s about enabling companies to say look, ‘here’s a great place to live, a great place to work, a great place for your family and there’s a fantastic town centre on your doorstep’.

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“It just puts us on the map. 

“We’ve always had a mentality that Bracknell is open for business. 

“We’ve always had a Bracknell way of being open, friendly and trying to find solutions, so we’ve always tried to encourage new businesses to come here.”

With all this in mind, we thought we would take a look at some of the other big names with offices in the town. 

Fujtisu

Bracknell News:

The Japanese multinational technology company makes computer devices, servers, software and more. 

Lovelace Road is home to the company’s UK Technology Solutions division, which “offers the full range of infrastructure products, solutions and services that are designed to fit a variety of customer infrastructure needs”.

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3M

Bracknell News:

Amerian science company 3M makes health care products and other consumer goods. 

They have offices all around the world and the company’s North Europe head office is based on Cain Road in Bracknell. 

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Hewlett Packard

Bracknell News:

Another American multinational business — Hewlett Packard Enterprise is part of the Hewlett Packard company and is in the information technology sector. 

It has a few UK offices, with one of these being on Cain Road in Bracknell, by 3M. 

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Waitrose

Bracknell News:

This one needs no explaining — everyone knows what Waitrose is. 

The UK supermarket giant has its head office, as well as a distribution warehouse, on Doncastle Road in Bracknell. 

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Honda UK 

Bracknell News:

Japanese motor company Honda makes cars, motorcycles and power equipment. 

Its UK head office is also based on Cain Road. 

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Dell

Bracknell News:

Another American technology giant -- Dell develops, sells and repairs computer-related products. 

The business has offices at Dell House, The Boulevard, on Cain Road. 

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Syngenta

Bracknell News: Image via Patrick KennedyImage via Patrick Kennedy

Multi-national agriculture company Syngenta has its international research centre at Jealott’s Hill in Warfield. 

The company could be about to give up 240 hectares of its land, however, as developers and Syngenta look to build 4,000 homes on the site. 

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Boehringer Ingelheim

Bracknell News:

German firm Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the world’s largest private pharmaceutical company.

Its headquarters is in Ingelheim am Rhein to the west of Germany, but its UK office is based out of its “purpose-built” premises at Ellesfield Avenue in Bracknell.

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Panasonic 

Bracknell News:

Japanese electronics company Panasonic established Panasonic UK in 1972. 

It now employs more than 400 staff and its UK office is based on Western Road in Bracknell.