Many more new firms in south-east England

BUSINESS numbers in south-east England rose by more than 15,000 last year, according to research by insolvency and restructuring trade body R3’s Southern and Thames Valley region.

The figures show the number of active firms in the region increased from 542,000 in January 2019 to 557,000 in January 2020.

That was the third highest regional rise in the UK, behind London (35,500) and the West Midlands (18,500).

It was also more than three times the region’s growth of 4,900 firms from January 2018 to January 2019.

South-east England has the most active businesses of any UK region outside London.

Garry Lee, chairman of R3’s Southern and Thames Valley committee and recovery and restructuring senior manager at accountants Smith and Williamson, said: “The south-east continues to be a powerhouse for the UK economy.”