Over 700 new businesses start up in Galway this year

Date Published: 09-May-2012

Galway is bucking the national trend of the economic downturn, with hundreds of first-time entrepreneurs setting up fledgling businesses since the beginning of the year.

In fact, the leader of a small business association has said the level of entrepreneurial skill shown in Galway would “wipe the floor with most other places in Ireland”.

Data compiled by the Connacht Tribune shows that more than 700 new companies and business names were registered in Galway City and County since the beginning of the year – an increase of around 20% on the first four months of last year.

In fact, in the past week alone, 60 new business names and 21 companies were registered here.

Mark Fielding, Chief Executive of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) said he was surprised at the Galway figures, but that they are very encouraging.

“They are surprising, but very encouraging, particularly for Galway," he said.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.