Number of business started by women increases for the third quarter in a row

Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise) today, Tuesday 10 January 2006 announces their results in terms of new business starts, as part of the Business Gateway contract, for the third quarter of their 2005/2006 financial year.  In total Enterprise has assisted 138 new businesses to start between 1 October 2005 and 31 December 2005.  This brings the total of business which Enterprise has helped to start this financial year to 606.

Chris Travis, chief executive of Enterprise comments, “During the first three quarters of our 2005/2006 financial year Enterprise has helped an average of 2 new business per day to start trading.  Whilst the figures for this quarter are down slightly on last quarter this is to be expected given the time of year; with people being busy with family commitments in the run up to Christmas.  Traditionally we receive 40% more enquiries regarding business start ups immediately after the Christmas break.  It seems that people use their time off over the festive period to crystallize their thoughts and also to do some preliminary research as to what they need to do in order to set up on their own.”

The percentage of businesses which are being started by women has increased for the third time in a row.  Women were responsible for 51.5% of businesses started during the third quarter, compared to 49.5% in the second quarter and 45% in the first quarter.

Of the 138 businesses assisted by Enterprise between 1 October 2005 and 31 December 2005 just over half of them, 56.5% are in Aberdeen.  22% are located in Peterhead with 11.5% and 10% in Aboyne and Inverurie respectively.

81% of the businesses which were started in Aboyne are attributed to women, with women also leading the way in Peterhead where they were responsible for 54% of the new businesses which were assisted by Enterprise.  In Aberdeen and Inverurie men were slightly more enterprising than their female counterparts. Men were responsible for 57% of new businesses in Inverurie and 54% in Aberdeen.

Chris adds, “The Business Gateway service, accessed through Enterprise North East Trust, is a valuable resource to those looking to start their own business and this is borne out by the number of new businesses that we have assisted to date.  Enterprise provide business advice, strategic direction and focused training along with access to managed workspace for new and growing businesses.  We continue to strive to provide these businesses with the support that they need in order to ensure that as many of them as possible are still trading in year three and beyond.”

Chris continues, “98% of businesses which receive assistance from Enterprise survive their first year of trading, 88% are still trading after year 2 and 80% continue into year three and beyond.  In the case of businesses who do not receive support from organisations such as Enterprise only 65% survive past year three.”

Enterprise can provide business advice, through Business Gateway, for all sizes of business on all aspects of running a successful business. Enterprise’s experienced business advisors provide a ‘one stop shop’ for all business development needs from start ups to well established businesses.  Enterprise can be contacted on 01224 289725 or at www.enetrust.com.

Ends

Picture Caption:  Chris Travis of Enterprise North East Trust says that they traditionally receive 40% more enquiries regarding business start ups immediately after the Christmas break.  It seems that people use their time off over the festive period to crystallize their thoughts and also to do some preliminary research as to what they need to do in order to set up on their own.

For further information contact:
Lyndsay Brackenbury
Tricker PR
9 Victoria Street
Aberdeen
Telephone  01224 646491
Direct Line 01224 654086
Mobile  07780 680751
Email  lbrackenbury@trickerpr.com

Note to Editors
1. Enterprise delivers the Business Gateway contract on behalf of Scottish Enterprise Grampian.

The Business Gateway is a single-brand access-point for all services from all business support agencies, including the Scottish Enterprise Network, Local Authorities, Scottish Executive, and other partner organisations.  

Customers can call into an outlet in their area, or they can call 01467 672595, or visit the website: www.bgateway.com, or email info@enetrust.com.