About Hillingdon and the Hillingdon Chambers of Commerce

The purpose of the Hillingdon Chambers of Commerce is to support and promote local business. A voluntary non-profit making organisation, it represents the interests of businesses both large and small within the Borough of Hillingdon and Surrounding areas.

The chamber endeavours to:-

> Assist in the development of businesses by providing training and information enabling you to keep your finger on the pulse re: government rules & regulations, update your management and computer literacy skills;

> Provide networking opportunities for companies enabling you to get the chance to meet other local companies and do business amongst yourselves;

> Have a strong voice and influence locally, which means that you get to have your say in the running of local affairs.

Hillingdon is a vibrant outer-London borough with a character all of its own. It is home to around 250,000 people, representing a vast range of cultures and nationalities. Its forty-two square miles makes it London's second largest borough.

Within its borders lie historic woodland, waterways and fields; classic tree-lined suburban streets, shopping centres and urban communities. Hillingdon contributes greatly to the economic success of the capital, yet it remains one of London's greenest boroughs. The borough is a transport hub crossed by three motorways and the Great Western Railway; it is also home to two busy airports and three tube lines.

Strategically Hillingdon is the 'Gateway to London/the West' and as the home of Heathrow Airport, it is also London's foremost gateway to the world.

The London Borough of Hillingdon was created in 1965, when four smaller districts were merged. Standing on the western edge of London, it forms an integral part of the capital, while maintaining strong links with its neighbouring counties. The borough combines urban settings with areas of countryside and this protected 'green belt' is of crucial importance to the future development of Hillingdon.

As an example of this diversity:

• Hillingdon contains 165 parks and open spaces and nearly 1,000 acres of
  publicly accessible woodland.

• There are around 7,500 registered businesses in Hillingdon, ranging from
  large multi-national corporations to local family firms.

• Heathrow Airport, which dominates the south of the borough, is the world's busiest airport, with 64 million passengers passing through it every year.

• The borough offers a diversity of opportunity that few other boroughs in the region can boast: such as excellent communications, a pioneering knowledge economy, quality shopping facilities, an accessible and highly regarded natural environment and through this, a quality life/work balance.

The people

Hillingdon's population is set to grow over the next ten years. Estimates suggest that the population will have swelled to around 260,000 by 2015. As it grows, the borough's population is expected to become more ethnically diverse. While many boroughs have an ageing population, a high proportion of Hillingdon's residents are young people.


A few facts that illustrate these points:

• 21% of Hillingdon's population is from black and ethnic minority communities
  and projected to rise by 15-20% over the next ten years.

• 41% of Hillingdon's population is under 30 years of age, with around 19%
  under 15.

• Fewer than 3% of Hillingdon residents are unemployed, against a London
  average of over 5%.

Town Centres

Hayes shopping centre is situated in the south of the borough and is the closest shopping centre for many of the borough's most excluded communities.

A number of major capital investments are planned for Hayes and these present an opportunity from which to plan for renewed vitality for Hayes town centre. Investment projects include:

The Heathrow Connect rail service linking Hayes Town Centre to both Heathrow and Paddington, which started in June 2005, could be the long awaited catalyst for the regeneration of Hayes.

The redevelopment of Hayes Goods Yard, which could help build a residential profile and catchment area with a spending profile that, would attract better quality retail outlets.

Uxbridge has evolved from a historic market town located on a strategic trade route, adjoining the boundary with South Buckinghamshire. Following a period of decline in the 1980s, Uxbridge has now successfully reinvented itself as a thriving metropolitan centre. It has a vibrant commercial and
retail focus and first class local educational opportunities at Brunel University and Uxbridge College.

The town centre is the focus of Hillingdon's local government and public services. The town benefits from excellent transport links with the M40 and M25 motorways in close proximity. Public transport includes Metropolitan and Piccadilly services on the London Underground railway and a comprehensive bus network.