REDDITCH is now proving more attractive to high-tech firms even with its reputation for light engineering and logistics.

That reputation is despite aerospace-to-land systems giant GKN having its headquarters in the town.

The service and distribution sectors gravitated to Redditch because of its central location in England, its access to the motorway network and the many business parks specialising in flexible warehouse/ factory units.

Think of Redditch and from a business perspective that is what comes to mind.

Warehousing and light industrial have served Redditch well, provided thousands of jobs and bolster the local economy.

Redditch has the cake but can it find the icing?

I may be wrong but my impression is that more high technology businesses are gravitating to the town, perhaps attracted by the number of highly skilled workers and graduates and the wide open spaces.

For example, we have just helped two high tech firms expand.

Agora Solutions, specialising in IT solutions, recently relocated to larger premises.

It has gone from around 1,000sq ft of offices in the town’s Empire Court complex to 5,832sq ft at 87 Heming Road, Washford.

The group offer services such as consultancy, project management and resource management to a host of major retailers, pub companies and supermarkets.

And a specialist IT software and service provider to the NHS has more than doubled the size of its Redditch offices.

Iuvo Ltd, based in Clive Road, has acquired a new unit in a six-figure deal.

Iuvo boasts 16 years’ experience in providing secure electronic clinical messaging and integrated information transfer solutions for the UK healthcare industry.

Its customer base totals more than 85 NHS and independent healthcare organisations, offering both on site solutions and hosted bureau services.

Worcestershire County Council and the local enterprise partnership recently announced their £47 million Local Growth Fund package to expand access to superfast broadband meaning by 2017, 95 per cent of homes and businesses in Worcestershire will benefit. Many businesses refuse to touch premises where internet access is poor.

And the Homes and Communities Agency have been instructed to work with the LEP to release land at the Redditch Eastern Gateway which will see a new business park to attract research and development companies.

It is good news for the local economy because high tech jobs tend to be highly paid, diversify the business base, and offer young people aspirational opportunities.

Ben Truslove, a director of the property agents John Truslove.