Half of small firms plan to close or shed jobs

ALMOST half of small businesses expect that they will either have to close down, restructure or shed jobs in the next three months.

The Small Firms Association’s (SFA) Autumn Business Sentiment Survey found that seven out of 10 small businesses rate the current business environment as “poor” or “very poor”.

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.”