Small businesses in Milton Keynes are more likely to slip into debt problems than any other city outside of London, according to research from Alliance and Leicester.
The group say that the area is the most expensive location in the UK (outside of London) to run a small business, taking into account rent, transport and labour costs.
The top ten list also included Cambridge, Oxford, Reading and Manchester despite these places all having a high number of successful companies.
Director of business banking at Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank, Steve Jennings commented, "The top ten locations all have thriving, successful business communities, which means small and medium-sized enterprises must expect to pay a premium."