3rd Feb 2010
Two thirds of Bedfordshire small businesses are optimistic about the prospects for 2010, according to Federation of Small Businesses study
Poll to coincide with the launch of Bedfordshire Small Business Awards points to better news on job creation and a surge in small business confidence levels
A survey of the views of 8,000 Bedfordshire-based small businesses points to growing confidence about the prospects for 2010 in the county. The poll, the largest recent snapshot of business confidence in Bedfordshire, was carried out to coincide with the launch of the FSB Bedfordshire Small Business Awards. The poll paints a rosier picture of the prospects for businesses throughout the region this year. Ninety-five percent of businesses employ fewer than 50 people and are classified as small businesses by the FSB.
Two-thirds of the 8,000 businesses polled said that they believe that 2010 will be a better trading year than 2009 and 76% of businesses are confident about their prospects.
Nearly half of those polled (49%) indicated that they have already won new business in 2010, only three weeks into the new year.
Damian Cummins from the Federation of Small Businesses said: “The results of our poll are very encouraging. Our message to small businesses is that there is no better time to enter an award to add further momentum to your business.”
Of those polled, only 13% have entered awards. Of those that have, an impressive 81% have won on at least one occasion. Academic research points to awards having a significant impact on the performance of businesses, with winners achieving an average uplift in revenues of around 30%.
There is also good news on the jobs front for Bedfordshire, with evidence that the tide is turning for jobseekers: whilst 9% of small businesses indicated that they are likely to reduce their headcount, 26% said that they are likely to take on new staff this year.
This is the inaugural year for the FSB Bedfordshire Small Business Awards and businesses with a headcount of fewer than 50 people are eligible to enter irrespective of whether they are FSB members or not. More details on the awards and the simple application process can be found at http://www.fsb.org.uk/bedsawards. Entries close on April 15th.
