NEW figures released show more new businesses were established in Worcestershire last year than in any previous year.

The statistics from the Inform Direct Review of UK Company Formations showed the county figures are in contrast to the national trend, which saw an overall reduction in new company formations.

In terms of new companies, 7,804 were registered in the county compared to 6,602 in 2016.

Worcestershire is also the best performing county in the UK for growth in the total number of registered companies – 38,764 up from 33,436 at the end of 2016, which equates to 15.9 per cent growth.

The five-year picture was equally bright, with 50 per cent growth in company numbers over the period.

The statistics have been provided by Inform Direct Review of UK Company Formations using data from

Companies House and the Office for National Statistics.

Bromsgrove formed the most new businesses, 4,880, followed by Wychavon 897 and Worcester's 561. Across the UK as a whole there was a reduction in the number of new company formations – 634,116 compared with 664,720 in 2016.

John Korchak, director of operations at Inform Direct said: “These record figures for new company formations show that Worcestershire continues to be a particularly fertile ground for entrepreneurs and new business ventures.

“The results buck the national trend. This slowdown could be attributed, at least in part, to ongoing political uncertainty and concern in the business community over the impact of Brexit.

“Worcestershire also appears to provide a supportive environment for existing businesses as it is the best performing county in the UK for growth in the total number of registered companies.”

To view the statistics visit informdirect.co.uk/company-formations-2017.