Suffolk businesses struggle with rising costs and tax pressure

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 08:32 · Archive

Suffolk small businesses face mounting difficulties from rising taxes, bills and slowing economic confidence ahead of the Autumn Budget.

Small businesses across Suffolk are facing severe pressures as rising taxes, bills and economic slowdown take their toll. Utility Installation Projects near Ipswich has halved its workforce from six to three, with annual turnover plunging from £1.5 million to about £800,000. The firm, which provides engineering and civil works for electricity, water and telecoms projects, is winning contracts but faces repeated delays that have brought work to a standstill.

Alex and Lisa Rotherham, who own Bay Tree Café in Bury St Edmunds and the White Horse at Whepstead, report making no profit despite serving around 100 pub customers a day. According to a Suffolk Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey, trading conditions across the county have reached new lows.

Tiarna Rowan, business operations manager at Utility Installation Projects, attributes the difficulties to 'lack of confidence'. She notes that work has fallen off 'massively' and that unexpected delays between tendering and work starting are hitting smaller businesses hardest. These difficulties come as Chancellor John Healey prepares his Autumn Budget.

Suffolk businesses struggle with rising costs and tax pressure — Image: Ipswich Star

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How it is being reported

Suffolk firms on brink as tax pressure and rising costs hit tradeSuffolk small businesses in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich face rising taxes, bills and delays as confidence falls ahead of the Autumn BudgetIpswich Star · 15 Oct, 08:00
Suffolk firms on brink as tax pressure and rising costs hit tradeSuffolk small businesses in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich face rising taxes, bills and delays as confidence falls ahead of the Autumn BudgetEast Anglian Daily Times · 15 Oct, 08:00

In this story: John Healey · Alex Rotherham · Lisa Rotherham · Tiarna Rowan · Graham Clackson · Utility Installation Projects · Suffolk Chamber of Commerce · Suffolk

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