Number of North Somerset business start-ups rises

More businesses were formed with the help of North Somerset Enterprise Agency (NSEA) in the final quarter of 2012, compared to the same period the previous year.

This business activity boosted the local economy says NSEA, creating 48 new jobs across October, November and December.

In the final quarter 38 new companies were created altogether.

The figures compare favourably with the end of 2011, which saw 28 new businesses created in the final three months of the year, 22 of which are still trading one year on.

The figures also compare favourably with three years ago when 31 new companies were formed – 21 of which are still trading and have survived the all-important first three years, the period in which businesses are most likely to fail.

Angela Hicks, who is North Somerset Enterprise Agency’s Chief Executive comments: “Our latest statistics reflect, as Prime Minister David Cameron spoke of last week, record numbers of new businesses starting.

“Whilst this is a difficult time for many larger commercial organisations it is equally a time of new business opportunities.

“Our role is to ensure that businesses in our area have the help, advice and support they need to start-up and grow successfully – and it is rewarding to see a high success rate among those who have sought our help.

“Our advice to all new businesses or those with an early stage business idea is to come along and see how we can help their enterprise to flourish.”

In 2013 NSEA will begin building its new business development centre. To be named ‘The Hive’, the centre will allow small businesses to start-up and grow by providing flexible office space with on-site business support.

‘The Hive’ will be managed by North Somerset Enterprise Agency on Weston Park, the site of the former Weston Airfield.