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Rural businesses feel squeeze

Small rural businesses are preparing for a tough Christmas, a new survey shows.

Figures from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) suggest that trade is down for rural business, with four out of five small enterprises claiming the government is not helping them out in the downturn.

The survey of 500 FSB members found that 60% of rural companies were expecting their Christmas trade to be down on this time last year.

Over 80% of small businesses in rural areas say they do not feel better placed to weather the downturn following November’’s Pre-Budget Report.

John Wright, national chairman of the FSB said: “Rural businesses are as integral to the wellbeing of our economy as the turkey is to our festive dinner. These figures show that small businesses in rural Britain are the silent victims of the credit crunch.”

The FSB is calling for action to be taken to encourage rural economic growth. Suggestions include free parking for all towns and villages during the Christmas shopping period, and for a substantial proportion of the £7bn made available by government for small firms to be promoted to rural businesses.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .