THE number of businesses operating in Barnsley has increased by more than 20 per cent over the past 12 months.
New figures show that more than 2,000 businesses folded in 2023, the majority of which were in the central ward.
But almost 2,500 businesses were created over the same time frame, equating to a 21 per cent increase.
The central ward also saw the biggest net change across the borough, with 160 more businesses operational in the area.
Cudworth followed with 44 more, and then Dodworth’s 36, Kingstone’s 34 and 28 new businesses in the St Helen’s ward making up the top five.
Both Dearne North and Dearne South saw more businesses fold than created, whilst the Wombwell, Darton East, Hoyland Milton and the North East wards also saw a decrease in the number of firms set up.
