POOLE has officially been declared as one of the leading areas for business start-ups in England.

According to figures from StartUp Britain, Poole is the fifth best area for business start-ups outside of London.

In the last year the number of newly created businesses in Poole has increased by nearly 50 per cent from approximately 2,000 start-ups in 2014 to over 3,000 in 2015

The 2015 figure for Bournemouth was 1,919 start-ups, with no number given for 2014.

Borough of Poole’s economic development team has played a key role in supporting the growth and success of new businesses through a range of initiatives.

These have included the launch of Poole’s pop-up shop in the High Street enabling over 80 new start-up businesses, budding entrepreneurs, social enterprises and charities to showcase their products in a high street location.

It has also provided them with valuable experience of testing and selling their products in the marketplace.

The team also support budding young entrepreneurs from local schools as part of the Young Enterprise Scheme.

Six students from St Edward’s School won the prestigious South West Regional Company of the Year award in 2015, beating competition from 26 other fledgling companies formed by over 300 students.

Last year Borough of Poole also funded 60 courses for new businesses which included personal one-to-one support and £100 vouchers for Staples.

This is on top of the general economic development advice available to residents and businesses and support to development partners such as the Jobs Hubs.

In 2015 Borough of Poole was recognised by the Federation of Small Businesses for its commitment to small and medium sized enterprises.

The council won the Most Innovative ‘Small Business Friendly’ Programme, for helping to address economic issues affecting the borough, notably in the retail sector, plus the Best All Round Small Business Friendliness award for service to entrepreneurs.

Adrian Trevett, economic development manager at Borough of Poole, said: “We are fully committed to providing a range of support to help start-up businesses in Poole reach their full potential.

"Whether this is working in partnership with Dorset Growth Hub or the Chambers of Commerce in Poole or across Dorset, we help new businesses go from strength to strength and support enterprise from a young age.

"Poole has high survival rates for start ups showing that the town has what it takes to help entrepreneurs be successful in business.”

Cllr Mohan Iyengar, cabinet portfolio holder for economy, said: "To be the fifth best regional hub for enterprise is some achievement, but the top four places are in our sights and we'll do it by learning from the best and really getting behind our people to make their ideas happen."

For advice and guidance on setting up your own business please contact the Economic Development Team on 01202 633301 or economicdevelopment@poole.gov.uk.