THE good news is that figures suggest that Worcestershire is one of the best places in the country to set up new business start-ups.

But the less good news is that fewer of these businesses are established in the Tenbury and the Teme Valley area than in any other of the districts in the county although a major success story is Orchard Valley Foods.

The county has been ranked 18th in the whole of the country for the number of new firms starting out in 2017.

In total, there were 7,804 new businesses formed in Worcestershire, which brings the total number of businesses registered in the county up to 38,764, according to new figures released by the Inform Direct UK Review of Company Formations.

This 2017 figure is up by 15.9 per cent, or 1,200 businesses, compared to 2016.

The latest stats reinforce the fact that Worcestershire has one of the fastest growing economies in the entire country and it remains Worcestershire County Council’s aim to ensure the county remains ‘Open for Business’.

“We strive towards becoming an entrepreneurial county,” said Ken Pollock who represents Tenbury on Worcestershire County Council where he is the Cabinet Member responsible for Economy and Infrastructure.

“An increase in new companies across the county proves that Worcestershire is still Open for Business and hence a great place to invest.

“It’s imperative that new businesses have the support they need to survive and grow. A growing local economy will enable us to invest more in those areas that our residents and businesses tell us are most important to them.”

Of the 7,804 new businesses registered in the county, Bromsgrove saw the biggest increase, followed by Wychavon, Worcester, Redditch, Wyre Forest and Malvern Hills.

But the Malvern Hills District that includes Tenbury and the Teme Valley was bottom of the list with just 341 start-ups.