Official Business Link start up figures show that for the third year in a row, outside of the City Nottingham, there were considerably more new business startups in Bassetlaw than in any other district in the county. Its total for the nine months ended 31 December is 86 new starts, which created 131 jobs. Rushcliffe was next, with 64 new starts creating 91 jobs.

The City of Nottingham’s 150 new starts created 227 jobs.

Broxtowe, Newark and Sherwood and Gedling each had 55, 54 and 53 new starts respectively with 232 jobs created between them. Ashfield, with 47 startup businesses providing 59 new jobs was closely followed by Mansfield with 45 startups and 70 new jobs.

Commenting on the figures, Robert Wilkinson, the Council’s economic development manager said, “It says a lot when, despite continuing economic difficulties, so many new businesses choose Bassetlaw. People clearly have confidence in the future of the region. Although there were 11 fewer startups in Bassetlaw than last year, between them the new startups in the county have created new 810 jobs, 489 fewer than the 1299 achieved in 1009/10.

“As impressive as the statistics are, we’re not complacent. Initiatives such as Retford Enterprise Centre, the Cinema and the Worksop Creative Village, plus the excellent working with partners will continue to drive the figures ever upwards. Other districts are constantly asking us how we do it.