Surrey Federation of Small Businesses urges to shop local amid pressures
This bank holiday weekend could be a make or break for many businesses left at risk by rising financial struggles
Surrey residents are being urged to continue supporting their small businesses, as many face pressures this Easter.
Tracey Carter, Development Manager for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in the county, has spoken about the concerns small businesses are facing following National Insurance increases.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, she said: "This time of year is so crucial to so many businesses who operate within the leisure and the hospitality sector that it's kind of make or break for some of these businesses.
"And they don't really know what's going to happen, they have to still invest in the stock, they have to still invest in everything that they need to to trade, but they they can't tell whether or not that's going to pay off and that's why it's quite a crucial time for those industry sectors without a doubt."
The Federation of Small Businesses represents and supports members, who are owners of small and medium size businesses.
In recent weeks, they found businesses hesitant taking on temporary staff as a direct result of government changes both due to financial pressures and increased risk.
Some are reported having to rethink their operations, which includes amended opening hours, reduced product offering, or reducing staff hours.
Ms Carter said: "There's real nervousness about committing to anything financially and that may that be staff or investment in equipment etcetera, because I think there's a whole range of situations that are happening all at the same time.
Obviously utility bills have gone up, labour costs have gone up, taxes have gone up and now we have this tariff situation.
"So I think generally speaking, there's a huge amount of uncertainty and certainly the words that coming back from the businesses I'm talking to are things like apathy."
According to the FSB, small businesses in the United Kingdom represent about 98% of all businesses and roughly 60% of the total workforce works for a small business.
When those small businesses are making cutbacks or changes, they fear the impact could be far greater than on the business alone, impacting local communities and the wider economy.
Ms Carter called for a return to a situation pre-national insurance increases.
She said: "We're asking government for a raft of pro small business measures to be brought into the autumn budget.
"We we're asking to recognise the pressures that are on businesses and to pledge to get this economy growing, this is what they say they want to do, but but really to bring in some measures to support small businesses to help make that happen.
"And and we also are asking them to improve the employment rights bill because at the moment it's creating a deterrent for small businesses to employ; they are too nervous to take on new staff because of the the bill and the rising costs."
The Treasury has been contacted for a comment.