20/10/2009 - Scottish firms beating recession
The recession has had less of an effect on small businesses in Scotland than it has on those in the rest of the UK, according to new research.
In the Business Pulse 2009 survey, carried out for BT, 56% of Scottish firms questioned said their turnover had not fallen despite the economic downturn. This is in comparison with 52% of small businesses in the UK who said they had not been affected.
In addition, 9% of Scottish small businesses said their turnover had increased by at least 10% in the past year, compared with 8% in the rest of the UK.
Mick Hegarty, of BT Business, said: "This comprehensive survey demonstrates the resilience of small businesses in some of the most challenging economic conditions of the past 50 years. Most firms are positive about the future and in many cases they have emerged stronger and fitter from the downturn."
The survey found that Scottish firms remain upbeat about their business prospects, with 62% saying they were confident or very confident. A further 69% said they expect an upturn in the next year.
Only 15% of firms in Scotland replied that the recession has made their business worse, with 46% saying they had changed for the better.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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