Start-Ups: Optimism Bounces Back

27% of financial decision-makers in businesses trading for less than a year think the economic condition of the UK will improve over the next twelve months, according to a recent survey by NOP Financial.

This is compared to 33% who think it will worsen and is a much more optimistic view of the economy compared with the views of decision-makers last September, when 60% felt it would worsen, and only 16% thought it would improve.

Businesses setting up in the Professional Services sector, covering IT, finance and property, are the most optimistic new businesses. Three in ten believe the country's economic condition will improve, up from 19% in September 2001 (previous peak, 28% in December 2000). Despite the pre-Christmas high street spending spree, the retail and wholesale sectors are the most pessimistic - with two-fifths thinking the economy will worsen.

According to Sonya Graneek, director of NOP Financial, 'The much talked-about robustness of consumer confidence, and distance from the events of 2001, seems to be helping start-up business back along the road to optimism.'

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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