A new study by Hitachi Capital Business Finance has indicated an alarming deterioration in optimism in the UK's small business sector, particularly retail, where close to a fifth of those surveyed believe they will 'struggle to survive' the next three months.
Some 17% of retailers surveyed in Q3 said they would struggle to survive, which was up from 12% that answered likewise in Q2.
This was the highest level pessimism recorded by the survey, however other sectors also indicated their wariness as to future business prospects.
