Aberdeenshire has welcomed an increase in businesses for the first time in years
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OFFICIAL figures have revealed an increase in the number of registered businesses in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire over the last year, reversing a period of decline.
The Scottish Goverment have released the figures which show the number of businesses operating in Scotland is at a record high and that small and medium sized firms now account for 99.3 per cent of enterprises in Scotland and deliver more than half of Scottish private sector jobs.
In the north-east, Aberdeen City gained an extra 110 businesses and now has 9,615 registered businesses of which 88 per cent are small and medium, the first rise since 2016.
The Aberdeenshire Council area also saw an increase of 85 from 14,185 in 2018 ending a two year decline and bringing the number of small and medium sized businesses to 14,270.
The Federation of Small Businesses development manager for the north-east David Groundwater said: “It’s fantastic to see both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire council areas reverse the decline in business numbers that we’ve witnessed over the last two or three years despite ongoing political uncertainty and rising costs.
“The figures reinforce the findings of the Aberdeen Economic Policy Panel Report launched last week which also reported that the Aberdeen City Region’s economy is showing signs of modest recovery.
“There is work to be done by businesses and policy makers across the region, however, as we continue to diversify our economy, invest in our infrastructure and address the challenges posed to our Town Centres and High Streets.”
