Hazel Grove named one of the top hubs for UK microbusinesses

Hazel Grove has been named in the top five UK Parliamentary constituencies outside London for microbusinesses in research from website hosting service, GoDaddy.

The area, which includes Bredbury, Marple, Bramhall and High Lane as well as the Hazel Grove area of Stockport that lends the wider constituency its name, was found to boast the fifth highest density of businesses with fewer than 10 employees outside London. The findings are unsurprising however for local residents and workers, with the area home to international brands such as MAN Energy Solutions and Adidas, as well as popular small business hub such as Pepper House Business Centre. (pictured)

The results show that, outside of London (which has the top 14 performing constituencies nationwide), Hove is home to the highest proportion of companies with under 10 employees, with 1.91 microbusinesses for every 100 people. Manchester Central in second place with 1.90, Bristol West third with 1.85, Glasgow Central fourth with 1.79 and Hazel Grove fifth with 1.75 microbusinesses per 100 residents.

GoDaddy’s Venture Forward study, in partnership with Professor George Saridakis, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business at Kent Business School, analysed how 2.3 million microbusinesses impact the communities around them. Following the study’s launch GoDaddy plan to share findings with local and regional leaders to help identify ways to support small businesses and create new opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Despite the North-west boasting two regions in the top five, more widely the research revealed a continued North-South divide, particularly when comparing new businesses established since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, with London, the South-East and South-west topping the regional league tables.

Ben Law, Head of GoDaddy UK, said:

“There are 5.3 million microbusinesses in the UK but very few studies focus specifically on companies with under 10 employees. As a result, microbusinesses are under-researched, misunderstood and under-served. GoDaddy’s Venture Forward project demonstrates the importance of microbusinesses to their communities.

“At GoDaddy, we empower everyday entrepreneurs and it’s our mission to help create opportunities for anyone to succeed, particularly in areas outside of London. After all, microbusinesses are the engine of the British economy. When they thrive, we all do.”

Further information about the Venture Forward microbusiness study is available here.