New data has revealed the UK’s most thriving town and cities for businesses – and some are in Lancashire.
According to the data Preston, Blackpool and Burnley are among the best places in Lancashire to start a business, as these are the UK areas where businesses tend to survive and thrive.
SME payment provider, Dojo, analysed data from 62 of the UK’s most densely populated cities and towns, before creating a ten-point index looking at changes in business survival, education, pollution, housing, internet connectivity and GDP.
Each point was scored equally, and the final results were converted to a score out of 100 to help us find out which city has made the fastest progress in the areas scored overall.
The data, collected between 2014 and 2020, shows that Preston is the most thriving Lancashire city for businesses, ranking third overall in the UK with a total index of 62.37 per cent.
This city has seen an increase of 4.78 per cent for business start-ups per 10,000 population; Prestonians with a degree or equivalent has also seen an increase of 19.37%. Also this city has a 61.18 per cent increase in internet coverage.
Blackpool is the second best Lancashire town, and ninth in the UK, with an overall index of 53.03 per cent.
The number of locals with a degree ore equivalent has increased by 19.37 per cent between 2014-2018, with internet connectivity up by 86.36 per cent between 2016-2020.
- READ MORE: Businesswoman opens new clothing store in East Lancs after turning £100 into £2m
Burnley ranks in 18th place out of the 62 locations with 50.94 index points. The town has seen an increase of 11.29% for business start-ups per 10,000 population, and the Burnley population with a degree or equivalent has also seen an increase of 19.37%. There has also been a 69.41% increase in 30+ Mbps internet coverage in the town.
The fastest thriving and evolving city is none other than the Welsh city, Swansea, with an index score of 62.77 out of 100! This south coast city, has the cleanest air out of any of the top ranking cities, with the number of days a year with poor air quality decreasing by 21 days.
Jon Knott, Head of Customer Insights at Dojo, said:“Over the last five years a lot has changed for us in our day to day lives.
"Whether our personal lives have undergone significant changes, or our professional lives have seen a shake up - much has had to adjust and evolve.
"The same goes for the constant growth and development of our local towns and cities.
"Every region across the UK has had to continuously adapt to meet the needs and demands of their residents.
"As communities expand, and new business ventures initiate growth in local economies, authorities have had to do more than ever to better the lives of their residents.
"Councils, campaigners and local officials have continued to strive to improve air quality in cities, open up wider housing options, and offer support for entrepreneurs and businesses.
"We want to celebrate these thriving cities that are providing their residents with the best opportunities to prosper.”
Read the full report on the dojo website.
Share