Sussex bosses can enjoy an extra glass of sherry this Christmas after a year of bumper profits.
A survey of 100 small-medium sized businesses showed more than 70 per cent expected to exceed their targets for 2003.
Almost 80 per cent expected their businesses to be more profitable next year while 40 per cent were looking to increase staff.
The survey, carried out by Brighton-based cash flow experts Close Invoice Finance (CIF), showed economic growth in Sussex was higher than the national average.
Jane Seymour, CIF managing director, said: "We can raise a glass of festive cheer in the knowledge that our businesses are outperforming the national average."
But she sounded a note of caution: "Increasing red tape is in danger of strangling dynamic, growing firms and the Government must address this issue.
"The other issue, as we head towards the New Year, is the effect that a likely further increase in interest rates will have on the economy generally."
Wednesday December 10, 2003
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