Economic benefits

Our Data Centres Power Economies as Well as the Cloud

At Pure DC, we believe data centres deliver more than digital infrastructure; they act as engines of long-term economic value, strengthening the communities and environments where they’re located.

Ongoing investment around our sites shows how critical digital infrastructure can fuel economic growth. Each new project brings significant inward investment, catalysing local development and supporting jobs, wages and supplier networks far beyond the site perimeter.

As demand for cloud and AI capacity accelerates, so too does the importance of critical infrastructure to national productivity. 

Catalysts for local investment 

The economic impact of a hyperscale data centre begins the moment ground is broken. During the construction phase alone, projects can add millions to local GDP. At Brent Cross, for example, the new campus extension is expected to add £215 million to Brent’s GDP and support £108 million in total wages. Similarly, our Park Royal site is projected to add £154 million to the local economy and generate £110 million in wages during construction and fit-out.

This spending is not abstract – it translates directly into income for local builders, equipment suppliers, tradespeople and professional services, fuelling growth at every level of the supply chain. From specialist subcontractors to the burger van down the street, local benefits are felt broadly. In Dublin, local delis saw increased footfall, and we bought one directly onsite so hot meals and drinks are readily available for staff.

Once operational, our campuses continue to generate sustained value through high-quality jobs, ongoing supplier relationships and local business activity. The Brent Cross extension is projected to contribute £83 million annually to Brent’s GDP and support £4.1 million in wages each year. Park Royal is expected to generate between £37-£57 million annually, including £27.5 million in wages and £2.3 million in business rates supporting local services.

Across the project lifecycle, that means thousands of livelihoods are supported, with average wages significantly higher than the UK median. To date, Brent Cross has already created up to 1,500 jobs and over 3,380 job-years of employment, including apprenticeships, graduate roles and opportunities for regional suppliers. 

With employees spending their earnings in local shops, restaurants and services, data centres anchor growth in communities. Global advisory firm Oxford Economics highlights the multiplier effect: every role in a data centre supports, on average, two additional jobs in the wider economy – both during construction and once operations begin.  

Strengthening supply chains

Operating a hyperscale data centre requires collaboration with a broad network of skilled partners. From specialist engineering and critical infrastructure to landscaping, catering and security services, our campuses sustain hundreds of suppliers, many of them small and medium-sized local businesses.  

These are not short-term blips. They represent recurring operational investment, generating stability and local income that flows into the community year after year. By embedding local businesses into our operations, we help strengthen regional supply chains and create opportunities for local businesses to grow alongside us.

Driving national growth

This local impact feeds into a bigger picture. In 2024, the UK government formally recognised data centres as Critical National Infrastructure, highlighting their essential role in supporting the services that power the economy – from banking and retail to healthcare and public services.

By completion, we will have invested over £1billion into critical national infrastructure in the London Borough of Brent. At a national level, the wider data centre industry contributes more than £100 billion annually to the UK economy and supports over 200,000 jobs nationwide. This creates a ripple effect that enhances competitiveness and attracts international investment. 

By investing in British data centres, we help companies build world-leading expertise in areas such as advanced engineering and energy-efficient cooling. Today, British data centres and services compete internationally, generating export income and reinforcing the UK’s position as a global leader in digital infrastructure, delivering services to markets around the world.

The story of our data centres is about much more than servers and power; it’s about shared prosperity. Each site represents a long-term commitment to investment, skilled employment and supply chain growth. At Pure DC, we take pride in delivering infrastructure that creates real, measurable economic value for communities while powering the UK’s digital future.

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