Nearly half small businesses expect Christmas to be difficult, according to a survey released by insurer Aviva on Friday.
One in 10 fear firms fear Christmas will be "make or break" for their business, with three out of five small business owners expecting conditions to "remain difficult" in 2011.
Thirty percent of small business believe there is a "real risk" of a double dip recession, with 11 percent saying that without a change in business conditions, they will cease trading.
"Christmas is a crucial trading period, even more so with the VAT rise and government austerity measures hanging over consumer spending for the year ahead," said David Bruce, commercial product manager at Aviva, which surveyed 500 firms.
"The UK's small businesses are a resilient community but it looks as though the coming months will test them to the limit."
Not much Christmas cheer for small businesses | Reuters
