The North East’s small businesses have shown signs of post-pandemic recovery, outstripping pre-pandemic levels in number.
Between 2019 and 2023 the number of SMEs in the North East grew by 3.5%, representing more than 2,000 more small businesses since the pandemic, taking the region’s SME total to over 60,500.
The research compiled by iwoca—one of Europe’s largest small business lenders - ranks areas in the North of England using ONS data on business and employment, suggests the North East’s post-pandemic entrepreneurship may be a key driver keeping jobs in the region afloat.
The number of employed people in the North East remained relatively stable between 2019 and 2022, with a slight increase of 2,000 in employment. According to the latest available figures, the region is home to nearly 1.1 million working people.
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