
Entrepreneurial activity is booming in parts of the UK once famous for their shipbuilding heritage, according to new findings from GoDaddy.
The research identifies Belfast North, Birkenhead, and Poplar & Limehouse as three of the top five constituencies experiencing the fastest growth in small business density over the past year. Each of these areas shares a strong maritime legacy tied to the nation’s historic shipbuilding industry.
Other locations with a similar industrial background—such as Stockton, Hartlepool, and Dagenham—are also witnessing strong growth, all ranking within the top 20 for rising small business activity.
These insights come from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, which examines the economic influence of over 600,000 UK small businesses and the perspectives of their owners. GoDaddy continues to support entrepreneurs at every step, from launching ideas to scaling online ventures.
Shipbuilding Communities Evolve into Modern Entrepreneurial Centres
The analysis highlights Belfast North as the fastest-growing constituency for small business formation in the UK, and notably, the only one outside England to make the top 10. Covering much of the city’s well-known docklands north of the Lagan Estuary, Belfast North saw a 241% surge in microbusiness density over the past year.
This impressive rise coincides with government efforts such as Stormont’s Go Succeed programme, which offers tailored business support and nearly £2 million in funding for local entrepreneurs. The revitalisation of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter—formerly the Harland & Wolff shipyard—has also become a thriving business hub that drives local economic growth.
A comparable trend can be seen in Birkenhead, where small business density increased by 63% year-on-year. The Wirral Waters regeneration project, developed on the historic site of Merseyside’s once-bustling shipbuilding industry, now hosts Egerton Village, a creative cluster for start-ups, local retailers, and independent artisans.
Dockland Areas Revived as Thriving Small Business Hubs
Several areas with deep maritime ties feature prominently across GoDaddy’s top 20 list. Poplar and Limehouse, located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, ranks fourth overall with a 50% growth rate in small business density. Once part of the city’s bustling Docklands, the area has benefited from a £700,000 council initiative aimed at encouraging local entrepreneurship.
Meanwhile, Stockton (+32%), Hartlepool (+29%), and Dagenham (+27%) rank 6th, 11th, and 19th respectively. Hartlepool’s former shipyard and docks have been transformed into Hartlepool Marina, now home to a vibrant mix of independent restaurants, cafés, and small enterprises.
Entrepreneurs Stay Optimistic Despite Economic Uncertainty
GoDaddy’s study also shows that UK small business owners are demonstrating remarkable determination despite ongoing economic pressures. Only 14% of entrepreneurs expressed confidence in the national economy, while over half (53%) said they were “not very” or “not at all” confident.
Even so, 40% expect their business income to rise in 2025, with nearly one in five (18%) predicting significant revenue growth compared to 2024. Starting a business has also become more affordable—18% of new businesses launched with less than £500 in start-up costs, the research reveals.
Alexandra Rosen, Global Head of the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, commented:
“Shipbuilding once represented the backbone of Britain’s industrial strength. Today, many of these same communities are reinventing themselves as centres of digital entrepreneurship. Their resilience and adaptability set an inspiring precedent for the future.”
The research identifies Belfast North, Birkenhead, and Poplar & Limehouse as three of the top five constituencies experiencing the fastest growth in small business density over the past year. Each of these areas shares a strong maritime legacy tied to the nation’s historic shipbuilding industry.
Other locations with a similar industrial background—such as Stockton, Hartlepool, and Dagenham—are also witnessing strong growth, all ranking within the top 20 for rising small business activity.
These insights come from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, which examines the economic influence of over 600,000 UK small businesses and the perspectives of their owners. GoDaddy continues to support entrepreneurs at every step, from launching ideas to scaling online ventures.
Shipbuilding Communities Evolve into Modern Entrepreneurial Centres
The analysis highlights Belfast North as the fastest-growing constituency for small business formation in the UK, and notably, the only one outside England to make the top 10. Covering much of the city’s well-known docklands north of the Lagan Estuary, Belfast North saw a 241% surge in microbusiness density over the past year.
This impressive rise coincides with government efforts such as Stormont’s Go Succeed programme, which offers tailored business support and nearly £2 million in funding for local entrepreneurs. The revitalisation of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter—formerly the Harland & Wolff shipyard—has also become a thriving business hub that drives local economic growth.
A comparable trend can be seen in Birkenhead, where small business density increased by 63% year-on-year. The Wirral Waters regeneration project, developed on the historic site of Merseyside’s once-bustling shipbuilding industry, now hosts Egerton Village, a creative cluster for start-ups, local retailers, and independent artisans.
Dockland Areas Revived as Thriving Small Business Hubs
Several areas with deep maritime ties feature prominently across GoDaddy’s top 20 list. Poplar and Limehouse, located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, ranks fourth overall with a 50% growth rate in small business density. Once part of the city’s bustling Docklands, the area has benefited from a £700,000 council initiative aimed at encouraging local entrepreneurship.
Meanwhile, Stockton (+32%), Hartlepool (+29%), and Dagenham (+27%) rank 6th, 11th, and 19th respectively. Hartlepool’s former shipyard and docks have been transformed into Hartlepool Marina, now home to a vibrant mix of independent restaurants, cafés, and small enterprises.
Entrepreneurs Stay Optimistic Despite Economic Uncertainty
GoDaddy’s study also shows that UK small business owners are demonstrating remarkable determination despite ongoing economic pressures. Only 14% of entrepreneurs expressed confidence in the national economy, while over half (53%) said they were “not very” or “not at all” confident.
Even so, 40% expect their business income to rise in 2025, with nearly one in five (18%) predicting significant revenue growth compared to 2024. Starting a business has also become more affordable—18% of new businesses launched with less than £500 in start-up costs, the research reveals.
Alexandra Rosen, Global Head of the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, commented:
“Shipbuilding once represented the backbone of Britain’s industrial strength. Today, many of these same communities are reinventing themselves as centres of digital entrepreneurship. Their resilience and adaptability set an inspiring precedent for the future.”