One in five small businesses are looking to expand during 2009, despite the recessionary climate, a survey has shown.
An investigation by Close Invoice Finance (CIS) found that 14% of smaller firms were expecting to recruit new staff before the end of the year.
While the research also found that 45% were anticipating remaining their current size for the next year, approximately 4% feared closure over the coming months.
David Thompson, chief executive of CIS, said: "There is no doubt that these are some of the most challenging financial conditions of recent times, and every day there are more gloomy predictions about the health of British small and medium-sized businesses."
Despite this, he added, the small company sector was showing resilience in the face of recession and difficult trading conditions.
The Federation of Small Businesses reported late last month that it had experienced a surge in the number of advice line calls regarding redundancy it receives.
One in five businesses looking to expand
