Would-be entrepreneurs are identified by survey

Oct 10 2007 by Chris Knox, The Journal

HALF the people in Newcastle want to start up their own business, despite the North-East having the lowest number of entrepreneurs in the country.

The Tynesiders have thought about going it alone, putting them fifth in a national table behind Birmingham, according to a survey by Orange Business Services.

However, Government figures show that over the past 12 years, Newcastle has consistently had the fewest business start-ups in Britain, with around 22 per 10,000 of its population.

This is compared to 32 start-ups per 10,000 of the population in the whole North-East and a UK average of 37 per 10,000.

Martin Lyne, director of small business at Orange Business Services UK, said: “British people view enterprise positively and are enthusiastic to give it a go. And it’s not the hard skills holding us back but so much as our lack of self confidence and fear of failure.

“Government, industry figures, community leaders and the education system can all play a part in nurturing self-belief and confidence in our would-be entrepreneur workforce.”

Tim Pain, head of enterprise at regional development agency One NorthEast, is confident that the region will be able to compete as an enterprise centre in the coming years.

“We’ve identified that our region as a whole needs to develop a more entrepreneurial culture.”