The number of small business entrepreneurs in Bradford has leapt by 204 per cent in the last five years, according to a new report.

Experian’s business data shows growth across the country in one or two man band businesses has fuelled a 41 per cent increase in the total number of companies in the UK.

It also shows these small businesses over the last five years across the UK have managed to maintain the lowest insolvency rate and second healthiest financial strength score, compared to other types of businesses.

In Bradford, the number of small businesses leapt from 917 in 2005 to 2,790 in 2010, ranking it as the 53rd highest grower out of the 120 cities and towns included in the data.

Harold Robinson, president of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: “We want to see a greater number of businesses in Bradford, and so these figures are welcome, though not if it’s as a consequence of the recession and people have felt they had little option if they lost jobs.

“We want to see Bradford high up that list, of course, and I know that programmes like Kickstart have helped tremendously in getting more people to start a business.

“That work needs to continue and we need to be able to offer businesses, especially micro-businesses, a strong and secure environment so that they can grow and employ others. The first two to three years are usually the toughest and so the micros need nurturing and protecting.”

According to the figures, neighbouring Leeds saw a similar increase from 1,449 small businesses in 2005 to 4,464 in 2010 – an increase of 208 per cent.

Charlotte Hogg, managing director of Experian UK and Ireland, said: “Our analysis reveals that the UK’s smallest businesses have been surprisingly resilient during the economic downturn and have also seen their population skyrocket in the last five years. The recession will have been an underlying factor in the 183 per cent increase in micro-businesses.”

“Many start-ups will have been created because of change of circumstance, where people found themselves unemployed and needed to look at alternatives. Equally, micro-entrepreneurs have also capitalised on their agility to provide great service at the most competitive price during the recession.”