SWINDON continues to rank highly in generating economic growth outside London across England, in what is another boost in 2014 for businesses in the town.

Based upon figures used to reflect economic and demographic expansion between 2004 and 2012, Swindon is ranked joint-seventh according to a new report which assesses town and cities across the nation.

The document also underlines Swindon’s potential in the future, as it is ranked 10th among those towns with what it calls vibrant and dynamic economies capable of supporting expansion.

The report comes from accountancy firm Grant Thornton, which has put together the High Growth Index, a series of figures and tables which mark up recent growth and potential growth in towns and cities.

It reveals Swindon punching well above its weight for growth since 2006 with a population smaller than the cities above it in the table.

Swindon has a high growth score of 137, according to the index, ranking it joint seventh with Leicester in the list of growth cities, which is headed by Manchester with a score of 205.

Bristol, in fourth place, scores 150. The forward-looking table is headed by Cambridge with a dynamism score of 176.

Swindon shares 10th place with Nottingham, Norwich and New-castle with a score of 107.

The report also identifies a number of growth corridors, including an area stretching along the M4 from Swindon to Bristol.

It shows that England’s high-growth and dynamic areas share certain characteristics – the presence of high-value, knowledge-intensive businesses, a supportive environment for enterprise, and diverse communities with a young and economically active workforce, coupled with strong transport and IT connectivity.

A spokeswoman for Forward Swindon said: “We are delighted to read this report. Swindon is a growth town – both in terms of its industry and its population.

“The town punches above its weight in terms of matching the performance of many cities and larger urban centres in the UK.

“We have a growing, aspirational population, strong SME business performance and great connectivity.

“Forward Swindon is striving to address the issues which could hold back the continued success of Swindon – such as regenerating the town centre and encouraging the development of a stronger higher education offering locally.”

Heydar Faramarzi, president of Swindon Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is fantastic news for Swindon. The advantage of a report like this is more people from outside the town hear about how well it is doing.

“Hopefully people recognise this is a place to invest in and place their business.

“The report is very encouraging for those of us who are already here and those who may be interested in moving here in the future.”

Swindon’s strong performance in the High Growth Index follows a report earlier this year by the influential Centre for Cities think tank.

That placed it at number four in the top five UK towns and cities where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are pursuing high-growth strategies and fuelling the nation’s economic recovery.