Entrepreneurial spirit greatest in the kitchen

Restaurants grabbed top spot as the fastest growing business sector in Scotland during the past year, according to figures from insolvency trade body R3.

Restaurants were Scotland's fastest-growing sector last year. Picture: Chris Hondros/Getty Images

The analysis shows that there were 4,067 “active” restaurants in January 2016, an increase of about 330, or 9 per cent, against a year earlier.

All of the ten key sectors tracked by R3 registered an increase in the number of active companies. The other most popular industries for start-ups were professional services, pubs and retail.

However, the figures show that these sectors are also among the riskiest in terms of financial stability. Restaurants have the highest proportion of businesses at a heightened risk of insolvency – just over 40 per cent.

Tim Cooper, chair of R3 in Scotland and partner at HBJ Gateley Edinburgh, said: “The hospitality sector remains a popular choice for those interested in starting up their own business.”