The second quarter of 2013 covering the months April to June saw 36 new businesses launch with the support of North Somerset Enterprise Agency, creating 49 jobs in the area. This marks an increase from 22 start-up enterprises launched in the same period last year.
The number of businesses which started in June more than doubled against the same period last year with 13 businesses launching, against six in 2012. June’s businesses ranged from decorating and plastering to cleaning and home help, a health and safety business to a valeting service and hairdressing to a journalist and a musician. Between them the enterprises are already providing 15 jobs.
All six businesses launched in June 2012 are still trading as are at least half of the eight which launched in the same period three years ago.
In May, 13 new businesses launched in North Somerset ranging from an art tuition provider to a heavy metal magazine, a sandwich van to a chauffeur, an electronics business to taxi services and holistic training to beauty treatments creating 19 jobs between them.
The number is again up on the same period last year (May 2012) in which eight new businesses began trading, with all of those businesses continuing. Of those businesses who launched three years ago, there were eight in total, of which 7 continue to trade.
Meanwhile in April, business launch numbers rose slightly from last year’s 8 to 10, with 15 jobs created among new enterprises that included computer tuition, drain cleaning, fishing pole repairs and modification, foot health care, dry cleaning and trailer hire.
Of the 8 businesses which started last year with North Somerset Enterprise Agency’s support, all survive, with seven businesses continuing to trade and one business being temporarily suspended but with plans to continue. Of the 11 businesses that launched three years ago in the same period, nine have survived and continue trading.
North Somerset Enterprise Agency’s Chief Executive Angela Hicks has welcomed the figures. “North Somerset’s start-up businesses are going from strength to strength with growing numbers launching their own enterprises and some very positive feedback from those whom have launched in previous years. This is fantastic news for our region as new jobs are being created and each business is contributing to the local economy.
“We are seeing some impressive business ideas coming through, with some owner-managers using their existing skills or areas of expertise as the basis of their business enterprise and others investing redundancy money or savings to set them up with the training or skills they need for their ventures.
“And not only are we seeing growing numbers but also increased demand for our low-cost training courses which are designed to help start-up businesses set up and run with the right information, advice and support from the outset. This again is great news as businesses that seek advice in their early stages are shown to have a much better chance of surviving and growing in the longer term.
“We would invite anyone – whether they have a fledgling business idea or are preparing to launch or even if they have already started out – to come along and talk to our team of local, experienced and knowledgeable business advisors. Our advice and support is free to all new businesses and we really can help to ensure businesses set out on the right track.”
Based in Weston-super-Mare North Somerset Enterprise Agency is a not-for-profit organisation that has been supporting local start-up and growing businesses with free or low-cost advice, information and training for over 25 years, through its team of experienced and locally-based business advisors.
2013 is seeing the build of its new business centre which will provide flexible office space with on-site business support services including advice, training and networking. ‘The Hive’, as the development will be known, is being built and will be managed by North Somerset Enterprise Agency on Weston Park, the site of the former Weston Airfield and is scheduled for completion and occupation early in 2014.
