business is definitely booming in the New Forest after two of its towns were named today among the top five most profitable business communities in Britain.
While other parts of the country have seen a fall in profits, the neighbouring south coast towns of New Milton and Lymington ranked fourth and fifth as home to some of Britain's most profitable concerns.
Research by financial information company Experian involved measuring the profit margins of more than 100,000 small and medium-sized enterprises. Both New Milton and Lymington emerged among the most select in Britain as the place to set up business and be successful, pipped only by Bexley Heath, Potters Bar and the Scottish town of Ayr.
Lymington did particularly well, with its average profit margin increasing from 5.0 per cent to 11.6 per cent. As a result, the town moved up 103 places from 108th position in 2000 to fifth in 2001. New Milton figured in the top 15 last year but its record of business in the year lifted it seven places to fourth.
New Forest Council leader Mel Kendal commented: "This confirms what we have been saying - that New Milton and Lymington are good places to do business."
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