LONDON, UK — New data from Klarna, the leading global retail bank, payments, and shopping service, has revealed 47% of SME leaders in London have yet to recover from the pandemic.
With small businesses having to close their doors to customers due to national lockdowns, the research found that 41% of SME decision-makers in the Capital felt a negative impact on their mental health throughout this time. Business leaders cited supply chain issues, a lack of sales, and the combined impact of the pandemic and Brexit weighing heavily on them during the pandemic.
The nationwide survey of over 500 UK SME leaders revealed that 1 in 5 SME business leaders (18%) in London are feeling pessimistic about the future of their business over the next 2 years. Such was the strain of the pandemic, 41% of SME leaders in London said that they thought their business would not be able to survive the pandemic.
Klarna has recently launched a new £3m Small Business Support Package and Accelerator Programme to help UK SMEs recover from the pandemic. The package will help 100 retail SMEs get back on their feet, with a ten-part accelerator programme alongside to help any UK SME receive access to tips and guidance to help grow their business.
To apply for the fund, please head to: https://www.klarna.com/uk/business/small business-support-package
Applications are open until 8th September.
To attend the Accelerator Program, head to: https://www.klarna.com/uk/business/small business-accelerator-programme/
New research says that 57% of Scottish SMEs aren’t confident about chances of surviving the next 2 years – that’s why we launched our Small Business Support Package – read more here 👇 https://t.co/3adrfngsgu
— Klarna News (@KlarnaNews) September 8, 2021
