NEW figures have revealed that more than 2,000 new businesses were set up in Bolton last year.

A study of companies set up in the UK last year showed that there were 2,169 firms launched in the town in 2014 in what was a record year for Greater Manchester.

The data has been compiled by online secretarial service business InformDirect which found that 25,381 start ups were registered in Greater Manchester throughout the year, compared with a previous best figure of 22,362.

Bolton’s figure of 2,169 was the fourth highest of the Greater Manchester authorities — excluding Manchester, beating neighbours Bury which totalled 1,893, Wigan, which saw 1,624 companies register and Oldham, which had 1,383.

Henry Catchpole, CEO of Inform Direct, said: “It is great to see an entrepreneurial spirit flourishing.

“There is lots of support out there for fledgling businesses and it seems people are putting their ideas and dreams into action more than ever before.”

Bolton’s figures are impressive considering the difficult operating conditions for businesses at the moment — with many still struggling with the after effects of the country’s economic crash in 2008.

One of the new businesses formed in 2014 and contributing to those figures, is Jazac Foods — a Bangladeshi street food stall — which launched in Bolton Market’s Lifestyle Hall in May last year.

The stall is owned and run by husband and wife team John and Zubada Lee and was set-up with the aim of providing the Bolton public with authentic and unique food from the other side of the world.

The stall is manned largely by volunteers who are friends of the couple — with the couple continuing to hold down full-time jobs away from the stall.

Mrs Lee said that while she was proud to be one of the new businesses launched in Bolton in 2014 — setting up the business has been extremely challenging.

She said: “If I was describe our first year in business, I would say it has been challenging and traumatic at times but ultimately it has been worth it.

“When people give you really good reviews and travel from far away to come to the stall it is so rewarding.”

The business recently reached its highest spot on internet review website Trip Advisor — coming in at number two in terms of food outlets in Bolton.

Mrs Lee said that she was “thrilled” with the news, but admitted she and her husband have had a steep learning curve during their first year in business.

She said: “If I was to offer advice to people launching their own business I would say firstly that you have to properly plan when you first open — otherwise you will run out of money straight away.

“I would also say that relationships are key, whether that is with your landlord or nearby businesses. This can also be a tricky part of business.”