This article was authored by Jennifer O’Keeffe for www.insidermedia.com and published under the title ‘Best UK cities for aspiring entrepreneurs to start a business – and the most popular industries to enter ‘ on Best UK cities for aspiring entrepreneurs to start a business 2024 – and the most popular industries to enter  | Insider Media. It is reproduced above in accordance with section 30(2) of the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988.

A new study has revealed the best UK cities to start a new business in 2024. 

Experts at IT service software InvGate analysed data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to find the number of registered businesses in UK cities in 2022 and 2023. The results were determined by the cities with the greatest percentage increase of new businesses opening between 2022 and 2023. 

1 Blackpool 

Blackpool tops the ranking, with a 7.24 per cent increase in new businesses between 2022 and 2023. 

The seaside town in Lancashire saw 3,870 businesses open in 2022 compared to 4,150 in 2023. 

125 of those newly registered businesses were in the transport and storage sector, and 110 were in the business administration and support services sector.  

2 Doncaster 

In second place is Doncaster, with new businesses increasing by 2.23 per cent between 2022 and 2023. The South Yorkshire town recorded a gain of 220 establishments, rising from 9,870 business openings in 2022 to 10,090 in 2023. 100 of those new companies were in the business administration and support services sector, and 55 were in the construction industry.

Sandra Edwards, Team Manager for Employment and Enterprise at Business Doncaster said: “With a record number of new businesses launching in the City of Doncaster, we are seeing a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that reflects both the resilience and innovation of our business community. The statistics highlight our unique appeal as a hub for exploring new ideas and encouraging business growth, making it an exciting time to invest and build in Doncaster”.   

“Those looking to start a business or in the process of starting a business in Doncaster can access fully funded support from the Launchpad programme, designed to help ambitious entrepreneurs set up and support micro businesses of any age”.

3 Ipswich 

Third in the ranking is Ipswich, with an increase of 2.06 per cent in new establishments between 2022 and 2023. The Suffolk borough had 4,610 new businesses open in 2022, climbing to 4,705 in 2023. The majority of these establishments were in the construction industry, and transport and storage sector.  

4 Peterborough

Peterborough places fourth, with a 1.82 per cent increase in new businesses between 2022 and 2023. The city grew from 7,980 businesses in 2022 to 8,125 in 2023, for a total increase of 145 new establishments. The wholesale sector saw the biggest increase with 90 businesses, while the arts, entertainment and recreation industry gained 35.

5 Newcastle-upon-Tyne 

Newcastle-upon-Tyne ranked in fifth place, with new businesses increasing by 1.10 per cent between 2022 and 2023. 

The North East city recorded a gain of 95 establishments, going from 8,645 in 2022 to 8,740 in 2023. 35 of those businesses were in the construction industry, and another 25 were in the health sector. 

6 Salford

Salford places sixth, with an increase of 1.05 per cent in business establishments between 2022 and 2023. The number of new businesses in this Greater Manchester city rose from 10,910 businesses in 2022 to 11,025 in 2023. The majority of these openings were in the construction sector. 

7 Sheffield 

Seventh on the list is Sheffield, with a 0.71 per cent increase in new businesses between 2022 and 2023. The city grew from 16,920 businesses in 2022 to 17,040 in 2023 and business administration and support services were among the biggest sectors here. 

8 Nottingham 

In eighth place is Nottingham, with new businesses increasing by 0.68 per cent between 2022 and 2023. The East Midlands region recorded a gain of 65 establishments, climbing from 9,625 in 2022 to 9,690 in 2023. Most of the new businesses were in the transport and storage sector, as well as construction. 

9 Plymouth 

Plymouth ranks ninth, with an increase of 0.40 per cent in business establishments between 2022 and 2023. From 6,300 businesses in 2022, The SouthWest port city saw an increase to 6,325 in 2023, with the core industries being business administration and support services. 

Launchpad Business Support

Launchpad Doncaster provides fully funded support to Individuals and businesses in Doncaster and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

It is a fully inclusive programme designed to help ambitious entrepreneurs set up, run and grow successful businesses it also supports businesses (with less than 10 employees and less than £10m Turnover) to take the next step and grow their business.

To find out more about business start up in Doncaster please visit our dedicated webpage: