Small Businesses Boom in Doncaster, with Highest Post-Pandemic SME Growth in Yorkshire
Small Businesses Boom in Doncaster, with Highest Post-Pandemic SME Growth in Yorkshire
Doncaster has seen the highest growth in the number of small and medium-sized businesses in Yorkshire since the pandemic, according to new research from iwoca – one of Europe’s largest small business lenders.
Iwoca’s research is based on analysis of ONS data on business and employment and compared the number of SMEs in Yorkshire in 2019, with the total number in 2023. Their findings revealed significant growth of small businesses in Doncaster, with an 11.3% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.
According to this data, there are now 9,975 small and medium sized businesses in Doncaster, an increase of over 1,000 businesses since 2019.
Additionally, this business growth within Doncaster brings thousands of new jobs, with recent analysis showing that the number of available jobs has increased by 9.6% between 2019 and 2022. Recent data shows that the number of working people in Doncaster has increased by nearly 12,000 since 2019, to a total of 135,450.
Doncaster Chamber’s CEO, Dan Fell shares comment:
“This robust post-pandemic recovery in Doncaster suggests an entrepreneurial spirit within the local business community. This success, clearly, is down to the individual business leaders and their teams that have shown determination and entrepreneurial to start and sustain successful companies. However, it also highlights the strong business support and advocacy that exists locally within the city and has played a role in this success. This naturally includes the Chamber of Commerce but also the Council’s Business Doncaster team, organisations such as Finance for Enterprise, and learning institutions such as Doncaster College and Harrison College that are working hard to meet local skills needs.
“Last week brought the challenging news that international business Aalberts IPS (formerly Pegler) would likely be ceasing manufacturing in Doncaster. Today’s news demonstrates that, despite challenges in the global market, Doncaster’s economy – overall – is moving in the right direction that our city is recognised as a great place to start and scale a business.
The findings revealed that the transportation and storage sector saw the largest growth in Doncaster, with an increase of 245 SMEs within the industry. With the imminent re-opening of the former HS2 College and Doncaster Sheffield Airport, small businesses in the city’s expanding transport sector could stand to benefit further. Pass Logistics is a prime example, having started as a sole trader with just a man and a van. Over seven years, the company has grown into a £7.5 million business, employing over 35 staff and securing major contracts across the UK.
Across the region, Hull and Sheffield cinched second and third place for SME growth in Yorkshire. Hull ranked a close second, with the number of SMEs rising by 10.9%, from 5,980 in 2019 to 6,630 in 2023. Sheffield ranked third with an SME increase of 7%, as the number of new businesses increased to 16,935 between 2019 and 2023.
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