MORE than half of businesses in the Uttoxeter area are confident their fortunes will improve during 2012, a survey has found.
The manufacturing sector offers a glimmer of hope on the jobs front, according to the latest quarterly chamber of commerce economic survey.
This claim is reinforced by a recent announcement from Rocester-based digger giant JCB that it would create 350 new jobs.
Thirty-six per cent of businesses which took part in the survey said they had increased their workforce in the final quarter of 2011 while 27 per cent, the highest figure for six months, expected to take on more staff in the next three months.
However, recruitment figures for the service sector continued a downward trend. Only 17 per cent had increased their workforce in the final three months of the year while 21 per cent expected it to increase in the first quarter of 2012.
The survey shows that although 56 per cent of firms were confident turnover would improve next year, it was the lowest figure since December 2010.
There was a slight improvement among businesses who thought their profitability would get better with 54 per cent expecting an increase, compared with 51 per cent a year ago. The survey revealed that inflation was the biggest concern among the region’s manufacturers.
Twenty-three per cent cited it as the major external factor putting pressure on their business.
The survey was carried out by the Burton and District Chamber of Commerce, which covers the Uttoxeter and East Staffordshire region, and its affiliated chambers.
