THE MOOD among firms in Hounslow remains 'upbeat' despite recent gloomy news, the chief executive of the borough's Chamber of Commerce has insisted.

More than 100 business leaders packed into Fuller's brewery in Chiswick for the chamber's AGM last month.

Stephen Fry, head of Hounslow CoC, this week told the Chronicle the room was full of optimism despite a BBC report last week suggesting more companies in the borough had folded in the last two years than anywhere else in London.

"The mood was upbeat. There were lots of positive things being said and people really seemed to think we've turned a corner," he said.

"There will still be casualties (of the economic downturn) but I think we're looking at a renaissance in the private sector, which will mean more jobs."

Hounslow is full of entrepreneurs prepared to take a risk, particularly in the arts and technology sectors, according to Mr Fry.

He believes the BBC survey suggesting 3,200 firms in the borough closed over the last two years is not all bad news.

"That's a big figure but when you think there are 10,000 mainly small businesses in Hounslow it's not massively high," he said.

"People shouldn't be afraid of going out of business. That's a very English fear but if you don't try you don't succeed.

"To me that survey suggests there are a lot of entrepreneurs in Hounslow, which is a positive thing.

"One of the areas where Hounslow's very strong is the creative sector. Often we don't hear about these companies because it's just one person in a spare room on their Apple Mac, but there's a lot of talent out there."

The chamber has about 400 paying members, who get to attend exclusive networking events, but Mr Fry said he was keen to represent all Hounslow's companies.

"Every single business in the borough is now a member of the chamber and can expect us to work for them. They are welcome to contact us and ask for help," he told the Chronicle.

The chamber already runs Hounslow for Business, which offers free mentoring and financial advice to entrepreneurs in the borough.

It is also working on an apprenticeship scheme with West Thames College, which it hopes will address a serious skills shortage in the borough, and plans to set up a 'creative cluster' to boost networking opportunities.

That is on top of its lobbying the council to reduce business rates and working closely with developer Ballymore in Brentford to improve plans for the town centre.

"Hounslow is a sleeping tiger. The potential here is phenomenal," said Mr Fry. "People here really care about where they live, which means they will invest in the area and make it more profitable."