"Britain's entrepreneurial spirit remains strong, with 84 new companies launched every hour in the first half of 2025, according to fresh analysis from SME lender iwoca. The annual Business Hotspots report, which draws on Companies House data, found that more than 363,000 businesses were registered between January and June 2025. However, this marked a 21% fall compared with the same period in 2024 - the first nationwide decline since iwoca began its index in 2021."
"Wales was the worst-hit region, with new registrations down 39% year-on-year. Cardiff experienced the sharpest fall of any local authority, halving from 15,679 in H1 2024 to 7,485 this year. By contrast, Somerset bucked the trend with a 167% increase in registrations, rising from 603 to 1,612. The South West weathered the slowdown best, with just a 9% fall, while most regions saw double-digit declines."
More than 363,000 businesses were registered in the UK between January and June 2025, averaging 84 new companies launched every hour. Registrations fell 21% compared with H1 2024, the first national decline since the index began in 2021, following tightened Companies House rules and higher fees introduced in spring 2024 and weak SME confidence. Wales saw the largest drop, with registrations down 39% and Cardiff halving new filings. Somerset recorded a 167% rise. The South West had the smallest regional decline at 9%. London remained the most entrepreneurial area, despite a 25% fall in raw registrations, with 1,307 new businesses per 100,000 residents.
Read at Business Matters
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