The First Steps . . . .

If you’re thinking about starting a new business there'll be lots of things you need to know.  From choosing the right company structure, planning your finances and working with the right business advisors, to guidance on good business management. 

Whether you plan to operate as a sole trader, a limited company or a partnership, and whether you'll be working from home or from commercial premises, you’ll find these pages packed with practical information and useful insights to help get your new business started.

The First Steps . . . .

If you’re thinking about starting a new business there'll be lots of things you need to know.  From choosing the right company structure, planning your finances and working with the right business advisors, to guidance on good business management. 

Whether you plan to operate as a sole trader, a limited company or a partnership, and whether you'll be working from home or from commercial premises, you’ll find these pages packed with practical information and useful insights to help get your new business started.

The latest business start-up statistics

Latest figures from research carried out by Barclays Bank in March 2009 contain some interesting facts about small business startups.

How many new businesses started in 2008

• More new businesses were formed in 2008 than in 2007, although activity slowed in the last 2 quarters of 2008
• 432,300 new business started-up in 2007
• 436,600 new businesses started-up in 2008
• The total number of businesses in the UK is estimated at just under 2.9 million

Gender differences in start-up businesses

• Female-only starts ups showed a greater percentage increase than male-only start-ups
• 9% of new businesses started in 2008 were started by women entrepreneurs and less than 1% started by men
• Women-only start-ups number more than 90,000 in 2008 compared to 83,000 in 2007
• Male-only start-ups come in at around 300,000 for 2008

Regional differences in business start-ups

• Start-up activity increased by 8% in Yorkshire and by 6% in the East Midlands
• Start-up activity declined by 6% in Wales and 3% in the South West

Popular sectors for new businesses

• New property service firms fell by 13% in 2008
• Businesses associated with construction showed an 8% decline
• Start-up activity in the area of health, education and social work increased by more than 13%

The latest business start-up statistics

Latest figures from research carried out by Barclays Bank in March 2009 contain some interesting facts about small business startups.

How many new businesses started in 2008

• More new businesses were formed in 2008 than in 2007, although activity slowed in the last 2 quarters of 2008
• 432,300 new business started-up in 2007
• 436,600 new businesses started-up in 2008
• The total number of businesses in the UK is estimated at just under 2.9 million

Gender differences in start-up businesses

• Female-only starts ups showed a greater percentage increase than male-only start-ups
• 9% of new businesses started in 2008 were started by women entrepreneurs and less than 1% started by men
• Women-only start-ups number more than 90,000 in 2008 compared to 83,000 in 2007
• Male-only start-ups come in at around 300,000 for 2008

Regional differences in business start-ups

• Start-up activity increased by 8% in Yorkshire and by 6% in the East Midlands
• Start-up activity declined by 6% in Wales and 3% in the South West

Popular sectors for new businesses

• New property service firms fell by 13% in 2008
• Businesses associated with construction showed an 8% decline
• Start-up activity in the area of health, education and social work increased by more than 13%