Local and independent firms throughout Scotland are feeling more confident about the future than at any time in almost the last six years.

The findings from the Scottish Small Business Confidence Index come as non-essential shops and restaurants open their doors today for the first time in almost four months. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which produces the quarterly index, has been joined by Scotland’s political leaders in encouraging people to shop locally.

“After a dark and difficult winter, our new survey shows that Scotland’s smaller businesses are feeling more positive about the future,” FSB Scotland policy chair Andrew McRae said.

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“But the easing of restrictions doesn’t mean the crisis is over for Scottish firms. That’s why it is so important that people use the local businesses in their communities as they reopen to customers – not just in the next couple of weeks, but in the months and years to come.”

The index swung from -69.0 in the final quarter of last year to +18.8 in the first three months of 2021. While lower than the UK average of +27.3, Scottish business optimism is now at its highest since the second quarter of 2015.

Half of Scottish firms are expecting an increase in profits during the next three months, when only 10% expected an increase at the end of last year. Sixteen percent of small firms also say they want to increase staff numbers during the next three months.