A new report hailing 2015 as a “golden age” for small businesses has been welcomed by a Kirklees accountancy firm.
Figures from Companies House show that record numbers of small firms were created in the UK last year – while a report by Lord Young, the government’s enterprise adviser, said there were now 5m established small firms in the UK, an increase of 760,000 compared to 2010.
The number of new businesses created across the country hit a record high in 2014 with 581,173 new businesses registered at Companies House beating the previous high of 526,446 in 2013.
This trend shows no sign of waning, according to Cleckheaton-based chartered accountancy firm Clough & Company.
Shafiq Khan, a partner at the firm who guides entrepreneurs through all areas of starting a business, said: “The recession has completely transformed the outlook for small businesses.
“During the downturn, huge numbers of people were made redundant and started businesses because often they didn’t have any other options or the desire to work for another corporate after the recession. Lots of those people have done very well with many starting to recruit and expand as both the economy and confidence improves.
“Finance is another key factor in the rise of start-ups and it’s now much more readily available, together with generous tax breaks available via the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and Enterprise Investment Scheme to stimulate and support entrepreneurship.
“This is resulting in a number of high growth businesses being launched. Banks and alternative finance providers coming into the market are more than happy to lend to start-ups that can present a great business idea supported with a good business plan. This is an area where a good accountant can prove invaluable.”
Mr Khan said: “Ultimately, the UK and Yorkshire remain a great place to start a business with technology lowering many of the barriers, so almost anyone can turn a business idea into a reality.
“There is red tape and a tax system to overcome, but there is plenty of help available to guide would-be entrepreneurs through all the potential pitfalls.”
