Despite being the smallest local authority in Greater Manchester, Bury Council has almost twice as many new business start-ups than any other borough in the region. The research conducted by Red Flag According to analysis by Manchester-based business intelligence service Red Flag Alert, 5,644 start-ups were launched in 2017. This works out as 29 per 1,000 people, a rate twice as many as its nearest rival. The report by Red Flag specifically referenced Bury Council’s “Bury Means Business Initiative” which provides support to businesses including topics such as business viability, employment advice, business and cash flow planning and marketing.

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To encourage new businesses and start-ups in three town centres as well as to support existing businesses in the borough, Rochdale Council launched a business rate reduction scheme. It offers eligible businesses an 80% discount in the first year, 50% discount in the second and 30% discount in the third year. The scheme has improved the quality of town centre areas for residents and seen the number of vacant properties decrease.