Jobs in Truro | Pictures of Truro

Truro is one of the smallest cities in the UK, is the only city in Cornwall and is also Britain’s most southerly city. And with a population hovering around the 20,000 mark and a popular tourist destination, you may be wondering why Truro was ever designated a city in the first place especially when you consider that it is only the fourth most populous place in the county.

The answer lies in its important trading heritage which prompted Elizabeth I to award Truro self-governance in 1589. Indeed, Truro’s position at the confluence of the River’s Allen, Kenwyn and Fal sealed its fortunes for centuries to come and its name is said to be derived from the Cornish word tri-veru, meaning ‘three rivers’.

Then and now
Throughout the Middle Ages Truro prospered as a port town, having been given the administrative authority over Falmouth harbour. But as the rivers which flowed into the port began to clog up with silt and waste, new economic drivers were sought and quickly found in the form of copper and tin mining that firmly positioned Truro as one of five Stannary towns in Cornwall where these metals were assayed and stamped.

Today, however, little remains of the city’s industrial boom-era except for the array of graceful Georgian architecture that came with it and continues to characterise the physical landscape of the area.

The tin mines are long gone and since the 1990s, there have been significant efforts to attract and develop a new manufacturing industry to help diversify the economy, although this sector remains much smaller than in England and Wales. However, the service sector has become the main source of employment in Truro.
Indeed, Truro and the immediate area accounts for nearly a quarter of all jobs in Cornwall. And leading the way is the public sector.

As the administrative centre for the County of Cornwall, the fields of public administration, health and education employ more people than any other in the region, with Cornwall County Council, Carrick District Council and Truro College being major employers.

However the health and social care sector in particular, is the single biggest employer in Truro accounting for more than 3,000 jobs. Following this is a strong secondary and tertiary education sector with Truro College and Peninsula Medical School gaining momentum.

But it must be noted that whilst the city is home to around 20,000 residents, only 9,500 economically active and a further 14,000 people commute on a daily basis into Truro. Therefore, Truro actually sustains 23,000 jobs.

In addition to its regional and sub-regional roles, Truro is also a local market town serving a distinct rural hinterland.

This role has been augmented by the arrival of financial and investment institutions and high street multiples, which have identified the financial sector as a high-growth industry and key driver for the local economy. And as a result, Truro is likely to continue as a focus for growth of the business and service sector in Cornwall.

Key business districts
Given its relative size the city centre itself serves as Truro’s main business district and commercial centre.

In recent years there has emerged a trend by property developers to buy some of the old Georgian buildings that were once small offices and independent businesses, and convert them into residential accommodation – much to the frustration of the local Council who are actively seeking to reverse this trend so as to encourage more small businesses to start-up in the city centre.

Elsewhere, New and Old County Hall are home to a number of office-based companies. Whereas there are a number of dedicated business areas that are home to a number of small to medium sized organisations, such as Newham Industrial Estate and Threemilestone Industrial Estate.

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

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

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