December 9th, 2010
Bradford has been named a self-employment hotspot after an above -average surge in the number of people launching their own businesses.
According to business start-up service Yoodoo.biz, there was a 74 per cent increase in the number of people in the district starting new enterprises, compared with a UK average of 54 per cent. It means Bradford is the only Yorkshire city listed in the top five for self-employment growth The report. based on Companies House data, confirms Bradford is among those places leading the way to economic recovery with 1,099 new businesses opened in the first half of this year.
Tony Heywood, chief executive of Yoodoo-biz, said: “The New Business HotSpots Report shows there’s a huge community of entrepreneurial-minded, go-getters in Bradford.
“The recession has provided an opportunity for many to re-evaluate their career ambitions and tackle unemployment and redundancy through starting their own business.”
Meanwhile, the success of a business park which provides incubator space for up-and-coming enterprises has been celebrated for its success in supporting job growth and regeneration.
Bradford Chamber of Commerce’s £2.5m business park at Laisterdyke has helped create more than 250 jobs and been home to 48 new businesses since opening three years ago.
Parveen Malik of website and IT software specialist Icreon said: “The Business Park is great and in an affordable location that competes with any modern office in Leeds.”
Andrew Robinson, Bradford Chamber’s property director, said: “The business park owes some of its success to its diverse range of tenants. We have solicitors in offices next to water and energy consultants and magazine publishers. In the same building is a herbal tea distributor and a general contractor.”
Chamber chief executive Sandy Needham said occupants on monthly tenancies could easily expand or contract the space required.
The take-up of space had been good with seven out of eight industrial units occupied along with most of the offices, including shared space.
She said: “The business park has played a part in encouraging self- employment in the Bradford area. The hotspots report confirms the district is doing well in encouraging new entrepreneurs,.
“Indeed, those who lose their jobs at the age of 40 or above are encouraged to consider self-employment.”
Source: Telegraph & Argus
