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End of Recession in Sight Say Small Businesses
Listed under: News
Published: Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The number of shop owners who believe the worst of the current economic climate is over has more than doubled since February, according to a recent report by The Independent.
The findings suggest up to 37% of small businesses have detected signs of recovery in their takings over the past five months – up from 32% in May and 18% in February. The report is one of a number of similar surveys to be published in recent times, suggesting the end of the recession could be closer than previously thought.
Retailer Phyllis Gullick, who owns online papercraft store Diamond Card Craft, agrees with the report, adding, “Over the past six weeks we've definitely noticed an increase in the number of new craft shops opening and contacting us for business, something which suggests things are beginning to look up. I'm not sure whether it's to do with an improvement in the overall situation or because the banks are becoming more lenient, but there's definitely been a big change over the past five or six weeks and we're certainly feeling much more optimistic about the year ahead.”
However – despite the positive findings – the report reveals small businesses have been less than impressed by the Government's handling of the recent difficulties, with only 14% saying they had any confidence in the chancellor, Alistair Darling, and a further 77% believing he is out of his depth.
The survey also highlights the public's growing dissatisfaction with the current Government, suggesting only 24% of people currently believe the chancellor has any real understanding of the problems small businesses face and just 26% thinking he is presently handling the economy responsibly.
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The findings suggest up to 37% of small businesses have detected signs of recovery in their takings over the past five months – up from 32% in May and 18% in February. The report is one of a number of similar surveys to be published in recent times, suggesting the end of the recession could be closer than previously thought.
Retailer Phyllis Gullick, who owns online papercraft store Diamond Card Craft, agrees with the report, adding, “Over the past six weeks we've definitely noticed an increase in the number of new craft shops opening and contacting us for business, something which suggests things are beginning to look up. I'm not sure whether it's to do with an improvement in the overall situation or because the banks are becoming more lenient, but there's definitely been a big change over the past five or six weeks and we're certainly feeling much more optimistic about the year ahead.”
However – despite the positive findings – the report reveals small businesses have been less than impressed by the Government's handling of the recent difficulties, with only 14% saying they had any confidence in the chancellor, Alistair Darling, and a further 77% believing he is out of his depth.
The survey also highlights the public's growing dissatisfaction with the current Government, suggesting only 24% of people currently believe the chancellor has any real understanding of the problems small businesses face and just 26% thinking he is presently handling the economy responsibly.
What do you think? Send us your thoughts to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
