Confidence returning to small firms, survey shows

Date: 26th May 2009

Confidence could be returning to the small business sector, a new investigation has revealed.

Figures published by the Forum of Private Business (FPB) show that more than a quarter of member firms saw an increase in their "viability" during April - twice the number which experienced a decline.

In addition, more than a tenth of owners witnessed a rise in the availability of finances, compared to just under a fifth which saw deterioration.

Chief executive of the FPB, Phil Orford, said: "There are signs that business confidence is returning.

"Significantly more business owners can see a future for their companies than are pessimistic about their chances of survival."

He added that while "dissatisfaction" was still outweighing approval, a rising number of firms were "reporting positive [lending] experiences".

Figures published by Data Services earlier this month showed that as many as a third of small firms implemented wage freezes in April.