New businesses are opening at a record rate in Richmond.

In the first half of this year, 274 companies were formed in Richmond, which is 8.7 per cent more than last year and the highest rate ever recorded in the borough.

The figures, released by Duport, compared well to the national average of 6.4 per cent more businesses opening and showed most London boroughs had recorded their highest number of start-ups ever.

According to the data, Richmond has steadily recovered since the recession began in 2008 and the borough’s figures were now in line with those from 2007.

Richmond Council’s cabinet member for community, business, and culture, Councillor Gareth Evans, said: “Businesses are the lifeblood of this borough so the council is of course delighted with these record-breaking figures.

“There is a real entrepreneurial spirit here in Richmond so it doesn’t come as a surprise to see how well business growth is doing.

“The council will continue to do it all can to support and ensure the local economy goes from strength to strength.”

The council has ploughed millions into its uplift programme to improve Twickenham and Whitton town centres to attract new businesses and visitors.