Jobs in Ely | Pictures of Ely

It is hard to believe that a place with a population of just over 14,000 people can a) be classed as a ‘city’ and b) be considered as one of the fastest growing cities in Europe. Yet that is precisely what Ely is. Located just 14 miles from Cambridge, Ely is the third smallest city in England (after Wells (Somerset) and the City of London) and the sixth smallest in the United Kingdom.

But size, as they say, isn’t everything for this was – or so the storybooks tell us – the one place in England that managed to withstand the Norman Conquest. Ironically, Ely is perhaps the most Norman-influenced place in Britain.

Then and now
For a town that for centuries was perched on top of a mound of clay and surrounded by little else other than uninhabitable marshland which – until some wise man realised that draining the fens may be a good idea in the 1600s - could only be traversed with the help of a local ‘fen-slogger’, Ely has done rather well for itself.

Having spent the subsequent 400 years in relative isolation as an agricultural town, Ely’s economic fortunes are being heavily influenced by the expansion of Cambridge.

Indeed, although the population currently stands at 14,500, it is estimated that it will reach over 21,000 by 2016 – a 30 per cent increase in less than eight years; thereby making it one of the fastest growing cities in Europe. So why is this happening?

Simply put, Ely can provide an affordable location for business looking to stay in the South East but are increasingly priced-out of the traditional economic centres of London and Cambridge. As such, Ely is now a favoured choice as a prominent business location in its own right enhanced by its accessible location and access to a skilled workforce.

Agriculture continues to be a key employer in the area along with a small-scale manufacturing sector. More recently, these industries have been joined by a growing cluster of high-tech businesses that are fast-becoming the key economic drivers for Ely and the wider Cambridgeshire area. And this is reflected in the e-Space business centre that opened in 2001.

The Centre is being heralded as one of the most important development in Ely having already attracted a number of high-tech and Research & Development organisations.

With a working population of under 6,000 people, around 18 per cent work as managers or senior officials, 14 per cent are in management positions, a further 14 per cent work in a technical capacity, 12 per cent hold an administration position, 11 per are skilled tradespeople, and around 8 per cent work as a process plant or machine operative.

Key business districts
New and relocating companies are increasingly choosing East Cambridgeshire as a base to expand and develop, regarding the district as a cost effective and accessible alternative business location to Cambridge.

Lancaster Way is home to a handful of distribution and industrial companies, whilst Sedgeway Business Park has a number of high-tech and R&D companies as well as being home to Eat Cambridgeshire & Fenland Primary Care Trust.

However, the jewel in the crown is unquestionably Cambridgeshire Business Park. Located on the Ely southern link road, this Park has played a major role in attracting high-tech investment into the area, and is close to the city centre with good rail links from Cambridge and London.

If you're thinking of moving to the area, take a look at some of the current property available to buy or let in Ely.

Take a closer look
A picture is worth a thousand words. You can see some images from in and around Ely below.

Looking for local vacancies? See all current jobs in Ely or find out more information on the local area.