Middlesbrough and Darlington Named In Country’s Top 10 Cities Or Towns To Start A Business And Survive

A study has crowned Middlesbrough and Darlington two of the best places in the UK to start a business and survive.

The survey by Shootday has looked at Office for National Statistics data behind business formation and sustainability across the UK.

And it has crunched the numbers to determine the places where entrepreneurs have the best shot at long-term success.

Analysis showed Darlington ranked seventh while Middlesbrough ranked ninth when it came to business survival rates.

Stockton also ranked 14^th on the list of 50 cities and towns the length and breadth of the nation.

Imran Anwar sits on the Tees Valley Business Board and is the CEO of Middlesbrough-based digital innovation agency Alt Labs.

“It’s great to see the entrepreneurial spirit of Middlesbrough and our wider region borne out in these figures,” said Imran.

“We are home to resilient, innovative and out-of-the-box thinkers who are willing to adapt and change their businesses – and it’s been a real pleasure to see brilliant digital start-ups grow and thrive through our work at Alt Labs.

“The Tees Valley is probably the best place at the moment to run a business – with Investment Zones in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, and a joined-up plan to grow.

“If you look at any other area – London, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle – they don’t have the community we do and I think that’s been critical for us to grow the digital economy locally, and this is exactly why Middlesbrough is the fastest digital growth area outside London.”

The study examined data from the ONS focusing on 50 cities and towns and three crucial factors: how many new businesses are starting, how many are closing, and their survival rates.

The numbers were sourced, and rankings calculated, using figures from the latest Business Demography survey.

It comes as the region pushes forward with its inward investment plans – with efforts to draw up a fresh and united strategy to attract more major firms to set up in the Tees Valley.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “Our entrepreneurs are the beating heart of industry and jobs across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool – so it’s fantastic to see these figures show just how strong that heartbeat is.

“We’ve fought hard to back businesses with investment, infrastructure and opportunities, and this shows it’s working.

“The message is clear – if you’ve got a great idea and the drive to make it happen, there’s no better place in the UK to do it than right here.

“We’re determined to cement our place at the top and encourage more start-ups to thrive.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke, who is TVCA Cabinet Member for Inward investment, added: “These results are proof of the determination, skill and creativity of the people of Middlesbrough.

“We’ve been committed to creating the right environment for businesses to start, grow and succeed – from improving town centre spaces to supporting new investment.

“But there’s still more to do, and we’re not complacent. We’ll keep working hard to make sure Middlesbrough remains one of the very best places in the UK for ambitious entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into reality.”