New start-ups in Staffordshire are surviving in greater number than in many other places around the UK.
The latest figures on three-year business survival rates in the county stood at 61.9 per cent – higher than the UK average survival rate of 57.6 per cent.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, in 2021 there were 4,145 businesses start-ups in Staffordshire, with a birth rate of 12.2 per cent – largely in line with the national rate of 12.4 per cent.
Among those who are thriving in the post-Covid environment are VUIT, a data analytics and visualisation specialist. Last week, Daily Focus reported that the fledgling business has been announced as a finalist for the Start-Up Award in the Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2023,
Other start-up businesses successes are Sunnyside Drinks Co. The company was set up by actor Christian Heath after he moved to Staffordshire from Australia and offers a range of Aussie-inspired premium alcoholic drinks.
Christian tapped into Staffordshire County Council’s free Get Started and Grow programme, which provides accountancy support, digital marketing support and guidance on putting together cashflow forecasts and business plans.
The scheme, launched in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic has just been extended to cover businesses up to five years old.
Christian, from Stafford, pictured above, said: “Get Started and Grow covered everything I needed to know in terms of market research, finance and business planning, and then it all came together into a business plan.
“For me it was a real launch pad because it made me feel far more comfortable with moving forward.
“People can be easily put off from setting up their business because of the things they need to do that may be outside of their comfort zone.
“Now I feel like I’m on a very firm footing and have all the bases covered.’’
Tabitha and Steve Cartmail set up Copper Beech Glamping at Knightley House Farm close to the Staffordshire/Shropshire border just before the pandemic.
It has now relaunched following bespoke website and business support from Get Started and Grow. They have seen a sharp rise in the number of enquiries for their shepherd hut and log cabins and the promise of an eco-friendly stay in the heart of the Staffordshire countryside.
Tabitha said: “The Get Started and Grow team put together a bespoke package which made our current marketing better and learn the business planning skills I need.
“I just wouldn’t have been able to afford the cost of what I needed to make everything the best it could be without this support. I can now really make this business a success.”
