Company owners seeing light at end of the tunnel
Small business owners are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. The latest survey from the Small Firms Association (SFA) shows that almost seven out of 10 business owners rate the overall business environment as "poor" or "very poor", however, only 60pc expect it to remain "poor" or "very poor" over the next three months.
SFA Director Patricia Callan said: "The overall survey results show that small business owner-managers are more positive for the second quarter in a row; however, many remain under serious pressure."
The percentage of companies rating the overall business environment as either "good" or "average" rose from 24pc for the last three months to 34pc in three months' time, with 29pc currently rating the overall business environment in Ireland as "good" or "average".
These figures, Ms Callan said, highlight a slightly more positive outlook among respondents for the overall business environment in the months ahead.
While there is little variation across sectors in regard to their views on the current business climate, distribution companies showed the highest negative rating at 78pc, followed by services at 73pc and manufacturing at 69pc.
The survey also highlighted that 16pc of respondents were more confident about their own business in Ireland currently, compared to three months ago.
Ms Callan said it was clear from these survey findings that the vast majority of small businesses remain under significant pressure in trying to maintain their current business activity levels and the jobs associated with these, albeit that there is some evidence that, in some enterprises, business opportunities are now re-emerging.
- Maeve Dineen
