Enterprise is thriving in the North of England, according to new data, which shows the region has become one of the country’s better cultivators of start-up businesses.
Figures released by business information researchers ICC Information show that of just over 300,000 new companies incorporated and still trading in the UK and Ireland since the beginning of 2003, a fifth of those are based in the North of England.
This figure is topped only by Central London and the Home Counties, which ICC said together account for 22% of the UK’s and Ireland’s start-up businesses.
Overall, the report shows that the number of new companies incorporated in the UK and Ireland over the last three years was more than double the amount set up in the two previous years.
However, of those still trading, the number of companies set up in the North of England has increased from 12% between 2000 and 2003 to 20% since 2003.
Following the North in the regional league table, Central Southern England accounted for 18% of all newly started businesses and the Midlands and East Anglia each were responsible for 17%.
The South East and South West England each accounted for 10% of start-ups, while Ireland claimed 6%, Scotland had 5% and Wales and the Welsh Borders finished at the bottom with 2%.
