Fife a top performer for mini business success, says Experian research

Fife is home to the some of the UK’s best performing micro-businesses based on growth, according to Experian.

Research carried out by the global information services company found that Fife is home to some of the highest-performing small businesses with a turnover of less than £100,000, with 35 per cent considered to be fast-growing.

This puts the Kingdom marginally ahead of second-place Birmingham on 34.7 per cent.

Cllr Lesley Laird, Fife Council’s Depute Leader and spokesperson for economy and planning, said: “Seeing the numbers of new business starts increasing is very positive and demonstrates that Fife, and its residents, continue to be ambitious.

“Fife has a vibrant support culture for our SMEs, and this is one of the ways that we are working to make the region the best place to do business.

Our schools play a very important role in fostering our economic enterprise and employability culture and this ethos sits at the heart of the education curriculum.

Initiatives from our Economic Development Team, such as ‘Tycoon Teens, Inspiring Fife’, an enterprising challenge for secondary schools, and ‘Primary Engineer’, are helping ensure that Fife’s school pupils are developing and adopting an enterprising mind-set – a core skill for any organisation.

“Small businesses are excelling in what has been a challenging business climate - often because they have the flexibility to adapt to changes and customer demand. Continuing to improve the survival rates of our start-up businesses is vital for the long term benefit of our economy. By doing so they become fixtures in their local economies, creating wealth and providing valuable employment for local people. The Council’s Economic Development Team, through their Business Gateway Fife services, support businesses, particularly SME’s and individuals, to maximise their potential through targeted business advice and training.”

Pamela Stevenson, lead officer, enterprise and business development, Fife Council, added: “Businesses seeking support to make the next step, particularly in accessing growth funding, have a range of options open to them. Through our Business Gateway Fife services, we deliver a host of support services including access to finance as well as referral to a number of key business support agencies.”