LAWRENCE Bellamy is head of business at the Padgate Campus of the University of Chester.

In his latest column, he discusses why big business chooses Warrington.

HAVING a Head Office in a particular location does not always mean large employment or expenditure there, but it does mean that organisations see the area as important.

Warrington has some huge organisations registered within the postcode area.

Done Brothers (number one by turnover) have grown their betting and business services empire to over £4billion turnover. GB Oils (number two), providers of fuel and lubricants weigh in with a hefty £3billion. European Metal Recycling Limited comes in third, a scrap dealer of substantial proportion! The Tote Bookmakers are fourth and United Utilities fifth in the line-up, still with a turnover in excess of £1.5billion (for one half of the operation).

They all employ thousands of people across their organisations.

So why Warrington? Done Brothers started in Salford in 1967, so Peter Done, a lifelong Manchester United supporter has stayed close to his history and roots.

In addition the Tote (now owned by Betfred, part of Done Brothers) is nearby and so handy for business too.

There is a story to the location of all businesses, some of it rational, some of it emotional.

Warrington seems to be serially lucky though at attracting these firms. Good choice.