Lloyd P. E. and Mason C. M. (1984) Spatial variations in new firm formation in the United Kingdom: comparative evidence from Merseyside, Greater Manchester and South Hampshire, Reg. Studies 18, 207–220. The debate on new firm formation in the United Kingdom has largely been conducted at a national level with little attention given to regional variations. The paper provides a background survey of the general debate and goes on to explore spatial variations between three contrasting areas—Merseyside, Greater Manchester and South Hampshire. In general, the paper reveals remarkable similarity between the average new firm in each of the areas. Contrasts on more qualitative indicators do exist, however, and although subtle are of some importance in the aggregate. South Hampshire stands out as showing marginal favourability on most variables. In particular, the upper tail of its distribution of new firms represents those activities consistent with the presence of those more sophisticated ‘enterprise-makers’ larg...