Business is booming in Barking and Dagenham with figures showing the borough had the second largest increase in the number of new ventures in the capital.

Research by global information group Experian showed business start-ups in Barking and Dagenham grew by six per cent from 7,685 to 8,146 between 2010 and 2012.

The study showed the highest new business growth in London was in Newham, which is hosting this summer’s Olympic Games.

Mark Kass, the enterprise development manager of Barking Enterprise Centre, said: “My team and I have been operating a start-up service in the borough now for five years which when you look at the pattern of start-up growth fits in with the trend of funding entrepreneurship support and the creation of new businesses.

“The London borough of Barking and Dagenham is a great place to do business and I absolutely intend to attract more and more businesses into the borough with the offer of free business support for organisations of all sizes and in all sectors.”

The research shows the borough came 12th in a national league table of business start-ups.