A new survey of 1,000 small business owners and managers has revealed that 18% have considered closing their business in the past year in the face of rising costs.
The leaders of small firms in the North East were the most likely to contemplate this decision while business closure was simply not on the radar for any of the owners and managers of small firms surveyed in the East Midlands.
As rising costs bite down, the survey by Purbeck Personal Guarantee Insurance has uncovered the measures being taken by small firms across the UK to keep themselves afloat.
42% have implemented price increases, topping the list followed by energy saving measures being used by 31%. 23% are increasing or changing their business hours, while 20% are looking for extra financial support either in the form of new investment or an extension of an overdraft limit:
Increase prices 42%
Cut energy use 31%
Increase business hours 13%
Seek new investment 13%
Operate the business remotely 11%
Change business hours 10%
Reduce workspace 9%
Relocate 7%
Extend overdraft limit 7%
Todd Davison, MD of Purbeck Personal Guarantee Insurance said, “Small business owners continue to show immense resilience and are taking sensible measures to manage costs as a matter of survival. However, our survey suggests there are clear differences in how businesses are coping in different regions of the UK, underlining the importance of the ‘Levelling Up’ agenda.
“Purbeck’s focus is on enabling small businesses in the regions most impacted, to access funding without risk to the business owners/directors.
“The key issue is that small businesses must not over-extend themselves financially given the rise in interest rates and risks of signing personal guarantees for business loans.
“If access to new funding is vital and investors are proving hard to find, then expert, independent advice from a professional such as commercial finance broker is critical. This will help to ensure the right loan product is secured for the business’s needs.”
Leave a Comment