Times are still tough but small businesses are booming in Battersea.

Figures from the House of Commons library showed there were 5,420 businesses in Battersea in 2010, rising to 5,995 in January this year.

In the same period youth unemployment fell by 62 per cent.

Overall in Wandsworth there were 1,870 more businesses than there were in 2010.

MP Jane Ellison announced the figures in a speech to the members of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce on the evening of Wednesday, March 2, at the House of Commons.

She also said Wandsworth had the highest take up of retail rate relief in London.

The event featured a speech from Steve Pinto, chairman of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce, in which he named Jane Ellison MP as president and Sarah Banham, from Battersea Power Station Development Company, as vice-president.

It was attended by businesses from across the borough and South Thames College.