MORE than 100 new businesses have set up in Barnsley within the last 12 months, a report has revealed.

The 105 firms represent a rise of 1.7 per cent on the previous year’s growth, which is the sixth highest increase in the Yorkshire and Humber region and only just below the national average of 1.8 per cent.

“The main driver for the return to growth is attributed to the strong 10.5 per cent growth in the number of medium-sized business which have up to 250 employees.

“It is also encouraging to see a return to growth in the number of small businesses.”