Findings of research commissioned by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in partnership with the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR), have highlighted the key role commercial vehicles play in the growth of new and small businesses in the UK.

The research, which analyses data from 2009 to 2015, investigates the relationship between the growth of the commercial vehicle industry and use of vehicles by businesses, with van dependent enterprises contributing £120 billion to the UK economy and travelling almost 102 billion km in 2014 alone.

Since 2009, the number of registered commercial vehicles in the UK has increased by 400 per cent as business and consumer confidence recovers and a greater demand for services and goods builds. This is mirrored by a 17.5 per cent increase in self-employment as entrepreneurs and small businesses break away across a range of sectors.

As channels of consumption change and self-employment increases, the research also shows how parts of the UK economy have shifted from established ‘bricks and mortar’ organisations to online and start-ups with over a million new businesses registering since 2009.

By 2017, there are expected to be 11.7 million start-up businesses creating 3.4 million pop-up experiences with almost a third (29 per cent) of new businesses launched in the UK during this time starting as a pop-up.

Carl zu Dohna, director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said: "Commercial vehicles play a huge role in start-up and small businesses and we're proud to supply the future drivers of British business with vehicles that help to deliver their goods and services.

"We admire the entrepreneurial minds of those in the UK who have continued to take risks and challenged traditional business industries in establishing exciting and forward-thinking new start-ups that use our vehicles. We know office space can often be at a premium; by working with Startup Direct we intend to offer individuals and businesses unique working spaces to inspire them.’

Anna Elyasova, regional manager at Startup Direct, founding delivery partner of the Governments Start-Up Loans Scheme, added: "Working with new and small businesses across the UK we are fully aware of the vital role commercial vehicles play in their ability to be able to effectively function and grow. We're delighted to be teaming-up with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to offer businesses a creative and new way of supporting and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs."