The quarterly “Economy Watch” analysis of economic trends for the London Borough of Sutton, presented to the Housing, Economy and Business Committee’s meeting on 27 November, again shows a generally encouraging picture in terms of the local economy.

The price of an average house in Sutton is now £250 531, up 5.1% on a year previously.

Encouraging signs are:

* the proportion of the working age population that is economically active in Sutton, at 78.8%, is higher than the London average of 75.0%

* the number of unfilled job vacancies in Sutton is rising, at 1217 up almost 80% on the year previously.

Sutton is also in line for significant local development, with proposals to develop the site at the bottom of the High Street (by the Zurich building), the South Point building close to Sutton station, the Felnex site and the area within the Hackbridge neighbourhood plan. The High Street is doing well with a new Metrobank opening shortly. 

Speaking at the meeting, Richard commented that he often tells people of the benefits of living in Sutton – low crime, good schools, a healthy local economy surviving the recession well, voted the best place in London to bring up children, good travel links and with its open spaces and 20 000 street trees giving it its green, pleasant, suburban local character.