118 Information

Figures just released by 118 Information, the business data experts, report an average of 2,000 new businesses starting up every month – a figure which has remained fairly stable over the last quarter, although with a slight increase in the last month.

Understanding and recording business changes is a key part of what 118 Information does – calling businesses across the UK on a daily basis, from their call centre in Sutton Coldfield, gives 118 Information unique insight into when a business closes down, relocates or starts up. Given the current economic climate and the focus on business failures, it is easy to forget that there are new businesses who continue to start up across the UK at a rate of 500 a week.

Popular amongst start ups are the following business types:
Beauty Salons
Bridal Gown Shops
Cafe and Snack Bars
Indian Restaurants
Bakers
Delicatessens

While these business sectors have experienced a decline in the number of start ups:
Commercial and Domestic Cleaners
Computer Repairs
Driving Schools
Florists
Skip Hire
Tattoo Artists

Geographically the hotspots for new businesses setting up include: West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Lancashire, Essex – with London unsurprisingly topping the list.

Recent research has seen the West Midlands described as ‘the UK’s employment hotspot’ because of the area’s receptiveness to employ younger workers. This goes against the general trend that sees most other parts of the UK negative in their outlook to those prospective employees under the age of 25.

Work recently undertaken by 118 Information, the experts in the collection of business data and owners of the UK’s leading business database, adds weight to this ‘employment hotspot’ theory. 118 Information recently undertook analysis of their new business data that revealed there are more new businesses starting up in the West Midlands than in Greater Manchester. This seems to indicate that aside from having a positive attitude to employment, the West Midlands are clearly also doing something right in terms of the focus on development and growth opportunities in the region.

Given that the population of these areas are broadly similar, it may be a surprise that from the 118 Information analysis, undertaken over recent months, new businesses are 5 times more likely to set up in the West Midlands than in Greater Manchester.

When some have questioned Birmingham’s status as the second city, this regional perspective on new business start ups will no doubt do much to support the general improved view of the West Midlands.

The more obvious attributes of the British psyche are our obsession with the weather, general eccentricity and quirky sense of humour! Stereotypical as this may be, there is certainly something unique about the British sense of humour – and this can now be seen in some of the weird and wonderful names that have been given to some British businesses. Innovation has long been a feature of British business and now that appears to extend to what a business calls itself!

118 Information, owner of the UK’s leading business database, have spotted some of the more unusual names on their database of almost 2 million UK businesses. “Over time we have noticed how creative some business sectors have become in the naming of their businesses; hairdressers are particularly good at playing on words in an attempt to stand out from the crowd.” commented Patrick Bradshaw, joint owner of 118 Information.

Here’s just a sample of the more creatively named hairdressers: His and Hairs, M8trix Hair Studio, Rock and Roll Hair, Sue Pa Cuts, Tugs & Tangles, Mane Attraction, Debonhair ..... and there are many more where they came from!

Some sectors have more scope than others to experiment with quirky names – what about ‘Spike at the Art’ and ‘Pierced Up’ (Tattoo Artists) or ‘Dog Father’ and ‘Pet-y-Coat Lane’ (Pet Services).

And even less obvious business types haven’t missed a chance to express their creativity: ‘Bad Ass Bikes’ and ‘Cycledelik’ (Cycle Shops) Absolutely Flabelos (Slimming Club), Rocking Rabbit (Gift Shop), Buzz Saw Billy (Landscape Contractors), and a particular favourite – Bodget & Scarper (Joinery & Carpentry).

And here is why........

Looking for a business, using whatever method (online, mobile, phone book, directory enquiries) is only as good as the information that is available. There are various sites and directories online where businesses can be listed, but if you ask the average business owner how the information ends up on the internet and being found by the major search engines like Google, most of them draw a blank. Given how topical Google is and the importance to any business of making sure that it can always be found, this seems a disturbing knowledge gap!

It works like this, whatever is being looked for (a butcher in Birmingham or a hat maker in Helsby) a list of relevant businesses will be presented back. Each business in a given geography and business type will be included in the list of results – but only if the information is there in the first place! If the search is using Google or another search engine, the results that are brought back depend on several factors, but at the most basic level they depend on a business having a website that is indexed properly and/or the business being listed on the numerous directories that exist across the internet.

Getting a business included on a directory is relatively simple – the complexity begins when you remember that there are lots of them; and that complexity increases when there are changes that need to be made to the business details.

118 Information is focused on making sure businesses keep their information bang up to date, wherever it appears. 118 Information is a rapidly expanding, local firm based in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midland. It is a privately owned company and is the UK’s leading business database owner and the central agency for business directory information. 118 Information contacts every business on their database at least once every 12 months and calls millions of others to get them added on. 118 Information know that if information on a business is wrong or doesn’t appear where it should that will have a negative effect directly on that business.

In recent years, because information is so easy to find and so freely available, there has been the idea that data is a free resource, when in fact this couldn’t be further from the truth. 118 Information invest significant sums into their business specifically to ensure the database remains the very best available within the UK.

118 Information have a range of prestigious clients including many of the online directories. In conclusion 118 Information make it simple for businesses to be available and therefore ‘found’ when someone is looking - and also, to make sure that the information is accurate and up to date. Every business should make sure that they are listed with 118 Information, remember this when they call, and they will, as they make c.6 million calls a year!

To check your business details or to add your business to the 118 Information database please call 0121 355 8600.