Business in Kingston is thriving according to a new survey that revealed a record number of new companies established themselves in the borough in recent months.

Kingston Chamber of Commerce said the figures, released by company registry agency Duport Associates, were not surprising considering projects had been put in place to support the area’s businesses.

Chief executive of the chamber Jerry Irving said: “The statistics on the face of it are very good news and, to a certain extent, reflect the feeling around the town that while things are tough there are still good opportunities.”

Mr Irving said projects such as the current work by the Chamber of Commerce with Jobcentre Plus to help unemployed young people set up their own businesses, showed how supportive the area was of new shops.

But he said it was possible some of the high number of businesses that had set up may not necessarily be long-term successes.

He said: “There is a fair amount of business churn with start-ups and some trade for 12 months then disappear, but I think this is happening less often.”

According to Duport’s statistics, the number of new companies opened in Kingston so far this year was 571, with 255 of those opening between April and June.

This second quarter growth was higher than any other time for Kingston, with records as far back as 1922.

Factors suggested for the business boom include recent hosting of Olympic road races, a healthy property market and transport links.