HAMPSHIRE is ‘fertile ground’ for new business ventures, according to a review of start ups in the county created last year.

Analysis shows that 13,642 new companies were formed in Hampshire during 2017.

This brings the total number of registered companies in the county to 106,588.

The figures come from an Inform Direct review of company formations using Companies House and Office for National Statistics data.

John Korchak, director of operations at Inform Direct said: “These figures show that Hampshire continues to be a fertile ground for entrepreneurs and new business ventures.

“Although a successful year, there was a fall in the number of new businesses established in 2017, compared to the previous year – 13,642 versus 14,249 in 2016 – which mirrors the national trend.”