Survey finds a new mood of optimism

21/04/2010

Some 17% of Surrey SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) plan to take on staff during 2010 according to Business Link's research around attitudes to economic recovery.  The research also reveals that SME optimism levels, related to growth in their company's turnover, have returned to pre-recession levels.  Surrey SMEs expecting turnover growth dipped to 25% in March 2009 and rose to 45% in November 2009.

According to the research, over one in four (26%) Surrey SMEs are preparing for better times by training their staff or investigating training, and almost half (47%) expect to expand in the medium to long term.

Across the South East, the business and financial sector is the most optimistic with 47% expecting their market to improve and 20% of that sector expecting to take on staff.  This equates to 170,000 businesses looking to recruit in 2010.

Ross McNally, Chief Executive, South East England Chambers of Commerce, commented: "Chamber of Commerce members in the South East of England are expressing a positive outlook for 2010 with positive signs of recovery in parts of manufacturing and across key service sectors for the region."

Source: Surrey Director Apr 2010

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