As the U.K. enters the biggest shopping period of the year, hundreds of thousands of businesses will experience sales which may make or break them.

As people all over the country are urged to shop local, confectioners Geraldo’s have analysed data to find out which areas of the country have the most small and micro businesses. They analysed data produced for a House of Commons report, which detailed a breakdown of businesses by size in each U.K. constituency.

Using the data, they were able to find out which areas had the most businesses with 0-4 employees, as well as what percentage of the overall businesses in the area fell into this category. In the West Midlands, Birmingham Ladywood had the highest amount of small businesses with 7,860 located within the area.

This was followed by North Herefordshire with 4,955.

Area

Small Businesses

Total Businesses

Percentage

Birmingham Ladywood

7,860

11,035

71%

North Herefordshire

4,955

6,070

82%

Stratford-on-Avon

4,760

6,350

75%

South Shropshire

4,730

5,855

81%

West Worcestershire

4,245

5,355

79%

The smallest amount in the region was found in Birmingham Selly Oak with just 1,595, followed by Birmingham Northfield with 1,640.

Area

Small Businesses

Total Businesses

Percentage

Birmingham Selly Oak

1,595

1,965

81%

Birmingham Northfield

1,640

2,025

81%

Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North

1,735

2,155

81%

Stoke-on-Trent North

1,750

2,385

73%

Wolverhampton North East

1,895

2,480

76%

The Cities of London and Westminster had the most overall small businesses in the U.K, with 49,160 spread across their combined 9.41 square mile area. This was followed by Holborn and St Pancras with 22,610 and Hackney South and Shoreditch with 14,695. 

Top 5 Area

Small Businesses

Total Businesses

Percentage

Cities of London and Westminster

49,160

71,715

69%

Holborn and St Pancras

22,610

29,110

78%

Hackney South and Shoreditch

14,695

18,015

82%

Islington South and Finsbury

14,490

18,330

79%

Kensington and Bayswater

9,435

11,970

79%

Four areas were tied for the highest percentage of small businesses in the area, Streatham and Croydon North, Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Mitcham and Morden and Harrow East all saw small businesses make up 88% of the businesses in their area. 

Top 5 Area

Small Businesses

Total Businesses

Percentage

Streatham and Croydon North

3,755

4,260

88%

Lewisham West and East Dulwich

3,400

3,865

88%

Mitcham and Morden

4,065

4,630

88%

Harrow East

6,125

6,990

88%

Hornsey and Friern Barnet

4,695

5,370

87%

On the other end of the scale, Na h-Eileanan an Iar had the lowest amount of small businesses with just 920. This was followed by Glasgow North East with 1,225.

     

Bottom 5 Area

Small Businesses

Total Businesses

Percentage

Na h-Eileanan an Iar

920

1,205

76%

Glasgow North East

1,225

1,725

71%

Glenrothes and Mid Fife

1,245

1,755

71%

Plymouth Moor View

1,250

1,740

72%

Belfast West

1,275

1,855

69%

           

The Hamble Valley had the lowest percentage at just 64%, followed closely by Belfast North with 65%.

     

Bottom 5 Area

Small Businesses

Total Businesses

Percentage

Hamble Valley

3,670

5,715

64%

Belfast North

1,540

2,355

65%

Bermondsey and Old Southwark

5,830

8,855

66%

Leeds South

2,830

4,260

66%

Kingston upon Hull East

1,370

2,060

67%

           

Toni Dawson, Owner of Geraldo’s shared her thoughts: “Running a small business can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it takes an enormous amount of effort and time to shape it and keep it moving forward.

“In 2023 it was estimated that 20% of small businesses close within their first year, and 60% can collapse within their first 3 years of existence, and with the increase in costs that have come in the past 12 months, that figure could easily rise. The statistics show us that even in areas with the lowest percentages, small and micro businesses make up more than half of the organisations in any area.

“This is why it’s so important to support those businesses whenever possible. From providing work places, bolstering the local economy, to providing vital services or simply increasing the choice people have in where they spend their money, small businesses are an incredibly important part of a local community, but ultimately, they need the support of the communities they serve.”

“I’ve been very fortunate to have the support of the local community here in Largs for almost 25 years in business through many ups and downs, and that support has helped Geraldo’s to grow in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I first started out.”