More than 20 cities put themselves forward for the title UK city of the future. London and Belfast tied on points, but the tie-breaking vote went to Belfast. At €30,837, Belfast’s gross value added (GVA) per capita has grown faster than most other major UK cities – up 55% between 1995 and 2001. The city attracted €188m of FDI in the financial year 2003/04. Significant inward investments include the UK bank HBOS’s creation of a 16,000m2 call centre to create up to 1500 jobs by the end of 2004 and Netherlands-based AM Development’s €376m redevelopment of Victoria Square. Public investments include a €1.5bn road improvement scheme and €80m to be spent on railways in 2004/05. Belfast has two major airports and Ireland’s busiest port. Recent construction projects in Laganside alone include the €48m Waterfront Hall, the €30m Hilton Hotel, the €52.5m BT Tower and E45m Fujitsu building.

Despite its higher-than-average location costs, London ranked top in hospitals, international schools, transport, universities and for its €235bn annual GVA.

Liverpool ranked third overall, impressing the judges with its infrastructure improvements. Bristol, fourth, did well for housing, entertainment and restaurants. Edinburgh, fifth equal with Plymouth, had the best-educated workforce while Plymouth scored highly for its low wage costs and natural heritage. Sunderland, seventh equal with Dundee, had the lowest industrial rent while Dundee ranked top for its promotion strategy and FDI attractions.