Is it a good time to start a business? – Well the Chamber Start & Grow team thinks it is and so does Leeds Central MP and shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn, seen here talking to members of the Chamber start up team at the Leeds Symons House start-up units.
That’s also the general consensus of local residents. 42% of people from a recent poll said they would prefer to be self- employed. It’s a model that fits in with the desire to be your own boss and hit the work/life balance you are looking for.
We may still be going through a recession and the economy may not be fully up to speed yet but the business environment is looking good for start-ups. Optimism is up, interests rates are down and start up loans are still available for new entrepreneurs – Which is probably why the interest in starting a business in 2016 is showing a similar upward trend to 2015.
The latest edition of the NatWest Entrepreneurship Quarterly Monitoring Survey shows that 33% of all residents in Yorkshire think now is a good time to set up in business, the highest proportion since the poll was launched three years ago.
The principles of a successful business remain the same. But, with the added advantage of the government backed start up loans, low cost business start-up units, quality advice and intensive support available to help secure markets abroad, then maybe 2016 is the time to launch.
If you looking for advice, help with applying for a start-up loan, introductions to overseas markets and start-up units, then contact the Start & Grow Team.