City FactFile
WORCESTER covers about 8,320 acres.
Its population in 1999 was estimated at 95,400. By 2011 this is expected to reach 100,000.
Unemployment in March 2001 was 1,236.
The economy has seen many changes. Traditionally the city has been famous for gloves, sauce, engineering and porcelain.
Some of the manufacturing industries on which it was built remain, but the base is now characterised by a large number of companies supplying a range of products and services.
The service sector employs 78 per cent of the city's workforce.
The retail industry is a growth sector. The CrownGate shopping scheme has boosted Worcester's position in the hierarchy of West Midlands shopping centres. The city's riverside location and history has made it an important tourism and employment centre.
In 1998 Worcester attracted 2.4m visitors, who spent £78m.
Household names based in Worcester include Lea & Perrins, Kay & Co, Cosworth Technology and Carnaud Metalbox.
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