Yeovil - Economy

Economy

AgustaWestland manufactures helicopters in Yeovil, and Normalair Garratt, builder of aircraft oxygen systems, is also based in the town.

Yeovil's reputation as a centre of the aircraft and defence industries lived on into the 21st century despite attempts at diversification, and the creation of numerous industrial estates, the principal employer is the aviation group AgustaWestland. This firm was created through the acquisition of Westland Helicopters by Agusta in 2000. In January 1986 the proposed sale of Westland to the American Sikorsky Aircraft group led to the Westland affair, a crisis in the Thatcher government, the resignation of Michael Heseltine as Secretary of State for Defence and the resignation two weeks later of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Leon Brittan, after his admission of leaking of a governmental law officer's letter which harshly criticised Mr Heseltine.

Yeovil Aerodrome (ICAO: EGHG), sometimes known as Yeovil/Westland 'Judwin'(to avoid confusion with nearby RNAS Yeovilton), is located 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) west of the town centre. British defence giant BAE Systems also operate a site which produces high-integrity networked software solutions primarily for the military.

The Screwfix company is based in Houndstone having started life as the Woodscrew Supply Company in 1979. However the warehouse was relocated to Stoke-on-Trent following failure to gain planning permission for building expansion.

The Quedam Shopping Centre is a complex of around 45 shops. As well as the usual array of British high street shops, the centre houses several independent retailers and a multi-storey car park of approximately 650 spaces.

The Yeovil Times is a free weekly newspaper, published and distributed in South Somerset, in association with the Western Gazette. It is owned by Northcliffe Media, part of the Daily Mail and General Trust newsgroup. Its content is a largely based on local issues.