Cash flow key business concern

CASH flow is the primary concern for businesses as they face up to the effects of the economic downturn, a survey of 3,000 North West businesses has found.

It was highlighted as a growing concern for the last quarter by 61% of respondents. That figure rose to 75% for firms with between 100 and 199 members of staff.

Chris Baguley, managing director of Manchester-based Bridging Finance, which conducted the survey, said: “The working capital of many businesses is being squeezed by falling transactions, late payments and the burden of new overheads such as the expenditure required to provide energy performance certificates for commercial properties or the empty rates tax.

“We were aware that cash flow was an increasingly important issue for businesses because of the growing number of enquiries we have received from firms looking to bolster their working capital with a short-term loan.”