Wolverhampton is a metropolitan borough and second largest part of the West Midlands with a population of around 249,470 according to 2011 census. The city was founded in 985, and the name of the city is derived from Wulfrun in the Anglo-Saxon period. Earlier, the city was developed as a market town particularly in the woollen trade. During the industrial era, it became a principal centre for steel production, cars and motorcycles manufacturing and coal mining. The city’s economy is based on the service sector as well as the engineering industry.
History
In 910, the city served as a battle site between the unified West Saxons and Mercian Angles against the raiding Danes. Initially, the city grew as a market town in 1179, but at that time the city did not own a royal charter for conducting a market and the matter brought to the attention of King John in 1204. The charter was eventually granted for holding a weekly market on a Wednesday by Henry III in 1258. The city was considered as one of the staple towns of the woollen trade in 14th and 15th century. The Wolverhampton Grammar School was founded in 1512 and known as one of the oldest active schools in the United Kingdom.
A large number of metal industries started their operations in the city from the 16th century onwards, including the iron and brass working and lock and key making. The city was affected by two great fires in 1590, and 1696 resulted in the destruction of 60 homes and left nearly 700 people homeless. The first fire engine was purchased at the beginning of 18th century after the second fire. The presence of extensive coal and iron deposits in the area contributed towards the wealth of the city in the Victorian era and huge amount of industries established in the city.
In 1837, the railways arrived the city and the first station was situated at Wednesfield Heath, also designated as a First Class station. The station was destroyed in 1965 and replaced by the centrally located station on Stour valley line. Wolverhampton railway works were settled in the city in 1849 and became Great Western Railway’s northern division workshop in 1854. During the Great Famine period of disease and mass starvation, a large number of immigrants from Wales and Ireland moved to the city in the 19th century. The city was represented politically by the longest serving MP in parliamentary history, Charles Pelham Villiers.
The city saw a large expansion in bicycle industry from 1868 to 1975 with the establishment of more than 200 bicycle manufacturing companies included Marston, Star and Viking. The large volume of bicycles manufacturers left the city between 1960 and 1970. The public housing development project started in the city after the end of the Great War provided 550 new council houses by 1923. The first large-scale housing development took place in the northeast part of the city, Low Hill estate had more than 2000 new council houses and became one of the largest housing estates in the United Kingdom at that time. Huge Asian immigrants were settled in the city during the period (1940-1960), and Sikh community from the Indian state of Punjab contribute approximately 9.1% of the city’s population.
Economy
The economy of the city was initially based on automobiles, manufacturing and engineering industries. These traditional industries have closed over the years. Presently, the city is largely based on the service industry including the sectors of education, hotels, public administration and health, provide 74% employment to the workforce of the city. Another major employer of the city provided job to 12000 employees is Wolverhampton City Council. The city is home to Birmingham Midshires, University of Wolverhampton, Marston’s and Carillion.
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