The number of potential entrepreneurs contacting business support organisations in Scotland reached record levels last year, new figures today show.
At national level, Business Gateway took 26,240 first-time enquiries from budding business people in the year ending March 2015, some 32.5% higher than in the previous 12 months.
And the organisation’s Aberdeen city and shire branch racked up 2,200 new contacts, up 23% year-on-year, at a time when confidence in region’s economy has been dampened by low oil prices.
This was despite the number of new enterprises started in Scotland with Business Gateway’s support dropping 0.5% year-on-year to 10,103, the service said in its annual review for 2014/15.
In Aberdeen city and shire, some 1,080 new firms were set up with help from the service, an 8% increase on the previous year.
More than half of the start-ups were female-led businesses, according to Elevator, the body that runs Business Gateway services in the north-east.
Andrew Burnett, director of operations at Elevator, said last night: “I’ve been working in economic support activities for 12 years and haven’t previously seen anywhere like the level of start-up interest or activity experienced this past year.
“There is definitely increased interest in starting a business and more people prepared to access government support services as a result.”
The rise in enquiries across Scotland was the organisation’s best result since 2008, when responsibility for its management was transferred from Scottish Enterprise to local authorities, it added.
Scottish business leaders said they were encouraged by a the rise in enquiries, which indicate that increasing numbers of entrepreneurs are prepared to seek assistance in a bid to realise their ambitions.
Just under 25,000 people took in the organisation’s 3,200 training workshops during the 12 months, it added.
Scottish entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter, an active supporter of Business Gateway, said: “John Wayne said it best when he noted courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. Starting a business and then building it takes courage and it also takes huge commitment, so the more support you get the easier it becomes.
“This year’s impressive figures from Business Gateway are a great encouragement in that many more are saddling up and taking full advantage of a service designed to help realise your ambition.”
Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing said: “Against a relatively subdued global economic environment, growth in output in Scotland recorded its strongest performance since 2007.
“At the Scottish Government we refreshed our economic strategy in March of this year, ready for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
“Business Gateway has a vital role in creating that environment and improving the prospects and opportunities for Scottish businesses by offering a range of national and local resources, support and tools.”