Clusters & locationGuildford’s games studios
Guildford’s games industry began with Bullfrog, founded in 1987 by Peter Molyneux and Les Edgar and later bought by Electronic Arts. Trade press has counted over 50 games companies in the area, including Media Molecule, Supermassive Games and Criterion. Studios cite the University of Surrey’s graduates and lower costs than central London, but also expensive offices and housing.
Follows how one successful firm attracts talent and rivals, and what could slow the cluster down, step by step: AO3 Analysis.
Productivity & collaborationSurrey Research Park
The University of Surrey’s research park opened in 1985 and covers 70 acres. A 2021 report found 170 businesses and 4,500 direct jobs, with output of £102,000 per job against £56,400 nationally and £53,800 across Guildford. Half of the tenants had worked with the university on research.
Why might firms on a research park be more productive, and how would you measure it? Practise this in AO2 Application.
Town centre decisionsThe Debenhams site
In December 2020, the Debenhams site beside the river was reported sold to developer Native Land, with mixed housing, retail and riverside use in mind. The Guildford Society welcomed the developer but noted the site lies in a flood zone and that the town had no comprehensive town centre plan to guide it.
Should a developer and council prioritise homes, shops or flood risk? A real judgement for AO4 Evaluation.
Guildford’s economy in the classroom
Guildford combines a university and research park, a famous games cluster and a town centre in transition. That gives students contexts for location, productivity and decisions with many stakeholders. We tie these themes to topics on the specification.
Sources: MCV, Guildford’s games hub; Surrey Chambers, Surrey Research Park productivity report (March 2021); The Guildford Society, Debenhams site sold (December 2020); Guildford College and George Abbot School course information.
