A GROWING number of people in York, increasingly women, are pursuing their dreams – and striking out on their own.

Figures released by Barclays Bank show that the number of new fledgling businesses remained high in 2008 across the city arising from 700 in 2007 to 1,100 in 2008, although activity weakened in the second half.

Amanda Shepherd, Barclays’ local business regional director for Yorkshire, said: “These figures may seem surprising given the current economic climate. “There could be a number of reasons for the robust start-up market, including individuals being made redundant having opted for self-employment. We should also remember that there are always opportunities, even in more challenging times.”

In terms of percentage growth, women outperformed in comparison to the regional average and overtook men. Female start-ups across the Yorkshire region increased by nearly 17 per cent, to more than 6,900 in 2008 compared to 5,900 in 2007. Male start-ups showed a slight increase of seven per cent compared to 2007.

“It appears women more than men are bucking the downturn by starting a business,” said Mrs Shepherd. “We know from our Let’s Talk Starting in business seminars that almost half of people attending are women, which is a notably high percentage considering men still make up the majority of all start ups. “Perhaps with women showing more interest, we will in the future see equal number of businesses started up for both men and women.”

Norman Whyte, chief executive of the York, Selby and Malton Business Advice Centre, is also Yorkshire regional director for the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies. As such, he organises the Barclays seminars in the region.

He said: “It is good news, but I would be fascinated and surprised if the trend continued into this first quarter of 2009. Meanwhile, it is good to see the number of women equaling the men at these start up seminars and sometimes even constituting the majority.

“Perhaps it is because many of them are returning to work after becoming mothers, and see self-employment as a good way of flexibly controlling their hours to suit their own needs, or because the employment options have narrowed in the recession.”

Barclays is helping people who want to set up a business by running free events across the region focusing on setting up, surviving and thriving in this climate.

To book visit barclays.co.uk/seminars or phone 0800 515 462.