The enterprising spirit in the north and north-east has been highlighted in the findings of a new study released today by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
Measured by the number of businesses in each, seven out of the top 10 “most entrepreneurial” Scottish Parliament constituencies are in the area, according to the organisation’s figures.
Aberdeenshire West led the way, with 4,720 companies, placing it third overall in the Scotland-wide analysis. The next three places in the league table were claimed by Aberdeen Central, with 4,260 businesses, Aberdeenshire East with 4,205, and Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch with 3,900.
They were followed by Caithness, Sutherland and Ross (3,885), Banffshire and Buchan Coast (3,465) and Aberdeen South and North Kincardine (3,295). The table, topped by Edinburgh Central with 7,065 businesses, was compiled by the FSB from 2016 Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. The organisation released the analysis as it launched its 2018 Celebrating Business Awards.
Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, said: “The fact that Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire score highly on this list demonstrates that the north-east continues to be the engine room of Scotland’s economy. Despite the difficulties faced by oil and gas in recent years, firms across the region have managed to consolidate and, in many cases, expand.”
FSB Scottish policy convener Andy Willox added: “No matter their party or geography, Scotland’s MSPs know the vital contribution that smaller firms make to their constituencies’ economies and local communities. But we know that some in business are too modest for their own good. That’s why we’re launching these awards to find the best small business talent.”
