Wrexham is the largest town in northern Wales, and is situated close to the Cheshire border, between the lower Dee Valley and the Welsh mountains. It is a major centre of employment for the commercial, retail, and educational sectors, and is the third largest retail centre in Wales after Swansea and Cardiff.
Wrexham was ranked the fifth most popular location for successful business start-ups in 2007, and has an economic activity rate which is well above the national average. In the past, it was heavily dominated by the mining and tanning industries, but in recent years it has become known as a major high-tech technology, manufacturing, and services hub. Wrexham's industrial estate is one of the largest in Europe, and many big-name brands like Brother, Sharp, Kelloggs, Wockhardt, and Ipsen have made the town their home.
The town's population of around 45,000 makes an average weekly salary of £497, and latest statistics quote the unemployment rate at 4.2%. Around 25% of jobs in the area are in the manufacturing sector, whilst recruitment agencies are reporting a growing number of available staff positions in the technology, financial, and service industries. 17% of residents can speak Welsh, making Wrexham a highly suitable choice for both Welsh-speaking and non-Welsh-speaking job-seekers.
