Blackburn with Darwen tops young entrepreneurs table

New figures have shown Blackburn with Darwen is the country's top hotspot for young entrepreneurs.

A study of 474,121 companies incorporated between August 2025 and July 2026 and the recorded dates of birth of 583,861 directors appointed to them found 16.8 per cent of new company founders in Blackburn with Darwen were aged under 25.

The data has been published by virtual office provider Virtual HQ which ranked all of the UK's 360 local authorities by the share of its founders aged under 25.

In Blackburn with Darwen, 309 of the 1,835 directors appointed to new companies over the year were under 25, the highest share recorded anywhere in the UK and nearly double the national figure of 8.7 per cent. Its median founder age is 36, three years below the UK median of 39.

Pendle was fourth in the north west and 11th nationally, Hyndburn sixth in the north west and 23rd nationally and Preston seventh and 27th nationally.

Simon Brierley, chief executive of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: "We often talk about the entrepreneurial spirit that exists across East Lancashire, and these figures back that up.

"It is brilliant to see Blackburn with Darwen leading the way nationally, with Pendle and Hyndburn also performing strongly. That's something we should be very proud of."

Councillor Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We are known for our young population and entrepreneurial spirit. It has never been more important to harness all the skills, talents and entrepreneurial energy of the people and businesses here.

"The new and established business leaders make a massive contribution to the prosperity of the place.”

Across the north west, 19 of the 35 ranked local authorities had an above average share of under 25 founders, compared to 86 of 360 across the UK, and 12 ranked in the UK's top 50 for that share.