March 29, 2012 10.10 am This story is over 144 months old

Businesses optimistic about county economy

Bright side: Businesses believe Lincolnshire is a good place to set up and run a business in the current economic climate.

Around 65% of businesses in Lincolnshire believe their turnover will increase over the next 12 months, according to a survey.

The poll, carried out by city accountants Duncan & Toplis and the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, also found 45% plan to launch new products and services this year too.

Two-thirds of businesses surveyed also feel Lincolnshire is an ideal place to set up a business.

Around 103 key businesses in the county were surveyed, and were asked their opinions on issues from tax and government economic policy to energy price and transport infrastructure.

The team used the survey to gauge how confident different industries were in the Lincolnshire’s economy as a way of offering insight to policy makers.

The results of the survey however, don’t match latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which sparked fears the UK is heading back into recession.

ONS estimates that output fell 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2011 from the quarter before, down from its previous estimate of 0.2%.

Tim Godson, a partner at Duncan & Toplis, said: “There does appear to be cause for optimism here, with a clear majority seeing Lincolnshire as being a good place to start a business.

“We are hopeful that such positive messages will help attract new business to the county.”

Photo: Sarah Reid