Record number of new companies started in Brighton and Hove

A record number of new companies were started in the Brighton and Hove area in 2013, according to the business consultancy Duport.

Nearly 4,000 companies were formed in Brighton, Hove, Southwick and Poynings – the areas with BN1, BN2, BN3, BN41, BN42 and BN45 postcodes.

Duport said that 1,965 companies were formed in the Brighton area – it includes Portslade, Southwick and Poynings in the Brighton figures. And 1,900 were formed in Hove.

In 2012 it said that 1,847 were set up in Brighton and 1,516 in Hove.

The figures also said that 1,224 companies closed in Brighton in 2013 compared with 1,084 the year before.

In Hove 767 companies were dissolved last year compared with 662 in 2012.

Duport’s league table of net business growth by town in 2012 – comparing the number of companies formed minus the number dissolved – listed Hove in 18th place and Brighton in 44th.

Duport said: “Figures from the Office for National Statistics have this week revealed that Brighton is the most popular UK seaside destination for foreign tourists.

“The ONS statistics show that over 400,000 overseas visitors stayed at least one night in the East Sussex city in 2013.

“The latest Duport Business Confidence Report contains further good news for the area.

“Data in the report shows a record number of new companies were formed there during 2013.

“Over the course of the year, 1,965 new companies were registered in Brighton – more than any other year on record and a 6 per cent rise on the previous year.

“The city’s increasing popularity with tourists from both the UK and abroad could be the reason behind so many new company formations.”

The managing director of Duport.co.uk, Peter Valaitis said: “Tourism has been key to the economy of Brighton for a long time and the increased number of visitors we are seeing presents all sorts of opportunities for entrepreneurs.

“With such a vibrant tourist industry and so many unique attractions, it’s little surprise so many new businesses are starting up in the area.”

The Duport reports for Brighton an Hove also included the BN50, BN51, BN52 and BN88 postcodes. These cover a small number of business addresses in Brighton, Hove, Fishersgate, Peacehaven and Newhaven.

To read the Duport Business Confidence Report for Brighton click here. And for the Hove report, click here.