Going solo now big business

Monday 01 September 2014

The number of people setting up business on their own in Jersey has more than doubled in the last decade, according to the latest figures.

A total of 3,390 people were recorded as self-employed in the Island’s manpower survey last year – up from 1,490 in 2003.

It’s not just a trend being seen in Jersey – self-employment is at its highest ever in the UK.

Jersey’s Chamber of Commerce says it’s a staggering rise and is now working with the States to explore a small business exemption strategy for all those who have set up on their own either because they were made redundant during the economic downturn or because of lifestyle choices.

Chamber’s Chief Executive Ian Taylor said: “Much of the recently introduced legislation actually hinders new small start up business - such as the Family friendly legislation.

“In fact whilst many pieces of legislation are totally appropriate for larger organisations they are totally inappropriate for small organisations.

“This is not a new idea and has been adopted in Germany for example where many exemptions exist for companies employing less than 10 - in Jersey the number may be 5 for example but until we actually look at this we will never know.

“If we can encourage the self employed to grow and prosper that has to be good news for the Island and the economy.”

Chamber is now working to be come accessible to these new businesses. Its members usually meet over lunch but the business lobby group is now developing new events including a breakfast club so that one-man-band traders don't have to stop work in the middle of the day to attend, and has created a special category of membership for one-person businesses.