BUSINESS confidence has reached a four-year high amid hopes that the UK economy will bounce back from the pandemic.

Confidence rose by six per cent to 36 per cent in August - its highest level since April 2017, with confidence among South East businesses also up to 32 per cent.

The monthly Lloyds Bank business barometer spoke to 1,200 firms across the country, with businesses in the manufacturing, construction and services sector all seeing boosts to confidence.

Despite renewed assurance in the economic recovery, there remains caution among businesses over staff shortages and inflation.

READ MORE: “It’s a Brighton social club” – the business born out of lockdown where all are welcome

Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist at Lloyds Bank commercial banking, said: “Business confidence reaching its highest level in over four years tells a positive story about the country’s economic recovery.

“This confidence is driven by the continued success of the vaccine rollout, the removal of lockdown restrictions and adjustments to self-isolation rules.

“As the economy moves back towards pre-pandemic levels we can be optimistic that the momentum for business confidence and economic optimism can be sustained in the months ahead.

The news comes amid a record high of job vacancies reported in the three months to July, according to the Office for National Statistics, with more than 950,000 job openings across the country.

Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01273 021 400.