Business Start Up Remains Buoyant According to Enterprise

Figures released by Enterprise North East Trust, which delivers the Business Gateway services in Aberdeen City & Shire and Tayside have revealed that the appetite for business start up remains high.  In 2010, 1,000 new businesses were established in Aberdeen City and Shire whilst in Tayside, figures have peaked with more than 760 new businesses created. 

Gary McEwan, chief executive of Enterprise North East Trust, says, “When compared to 2009-10, new business start up figures for Aberdeen City & Shire remain consistently high and Tayside has been exceptionally successful in the last year.  730 new businesses were established in Tayside during 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, so reaching this high level again in 2010 indicates that the appetite for new company start up is rising.  Additionally, 19% of Tayside start ups are registering for VAT in their first year. This is amongst the highest in Scotland and signifies a strong commitment to creating businesses with real growth potential.

“In Grampian, there was a significant increase in the number of businesses created by women, with female entrepreneurs making up 45% of the total number of new businesses started.  Aberdeenshire also recorded the majority of new business creation.   Over 220 start up workshops were delivered with over 2,500, whilst more than 110 growing business workshops delivered, reaching over 1,177 people in Aberdeen city and Shire. What is clear from the figures reported for the last year is that more and more people are engaging with the Business Gateway services provided for supporting business creation and development.  It also suggests that those who are going through the process are getting value from the advice provided, as they are following through to get their businesses off the ground, which is clear from the start up levels remaining on target.”

A recent report from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) has called for universal provision of training in starting a business in colleges and universities to drive economic development, corporately and entrepreneurially.  Gary continues, “Enterprise is very committed to the development of youth enterprise and from our perspective this remains a priority, but there is always more that could be done to ensure that more and more people see entrepreneurship as a viable career path. While the Government has a key role to play in this, existing entrepreneurs in our area can play a pivotal role in incorporating business management skills and knowledge into the classrooms and universities.  Government policy and entrepreneurs ‘giving something back’ will be essential for the development of a vibrant and diverse economy.” 

For further information on Enterprise North East Trust visit www.enetrust.com or call 01224 289700.