Staffordshire and Cheshire's businesses say each day gets harder to stay afloat
It comes as new data shows many fear they won't survive the year ahead
Staffordshire and Cheshire’s small businesses say their futures are looking bleak unless they get more help.
New research has revealed that half of UK founders are concerned that their venture will not survive the next 12 months, versus only 11% having the same concerns last year.
"There's daily obstacles. Hourly obstacles. Minute obstacles. The drinks industry is probably one of the toughest to get into, it's all based on margins and volumes." said Christian Heath, founder of the Staffordshire start-up Sunnyside Drinks.
"The biggest challenge is funding. Without funding we might not survive, so yes we are looking for financial support. I haven't taken a pay check in 2 years.
Christian continued: "Business owners, they're calling on the new government to support them by scrapping business rates.
"The new government for example they could easily help us straight away by cutting corporation tax and reducing those rates."
The statistics from the Founder Barometer report (Virgin StartUp) also show 33% would like to see business rates scrapped, 32% would like more support for regions outside London, and 26% would like a cut in corporation tax.
Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) make up 99% of businesses in the UK, supporting 27 million jobs across the country and collectively account for £4.5 trillion in annual turnover.
"I know there's a Levelling Up scheme at the moment, but it's just not reaching businesses like mine." said Christian.
"Personally, I found after Brexit the EU funding dried up. It wasn't replaced straight away, but I couldn't find any funding for me when I first started up. It's essential. And you need that support from local councils. I have been supported by Stafford Borough Council, they have provided funding and without it I probably wouldn't be here."
The Government has been approached for a comment.