THE number of black and minority ethnic (BME) business start-ups has reached record levels, having grown by one-third from 32,000 in 2000 to 50,000 in 2004, according to research from Barclays.

Now, more than 19,000 small businesses in the north west are owned by BMEs. It is estimated that around 3,300 BME businesses were started in the region last year.

The growth numbers are also bolstered by real success with BMEs business performance outstripping that of their white counterparts. They are three times more likely to have a turnover between £250,000 and £1 million.

Ian Goodrick, small business marketing director for Barclays in the North West said: "The rise in BME businesses is due to a surge in the number of young BME entrepreneurs, with more than twice as many running their own business compared to their white counterparts. They are focusing on being innovators in business/professional services and catering, unlike the older generation where almost half are retail entrepreneurs."

Regionally, London has the highest number of black and minority ethnic businesses with 38 per cent of all BME businesses.