More than half of small business owners have suffered mental strain - as well as seen revenues tumble - during the pandemic, according to a survey by a Dartford firm.

Blue Rocket Accounting polled more than 100 of its clients and contacts across Kent, London and the South East on the impact of the lockdown.

Nearly 80% of those surveyed said financial losses were the biggest cost, with 43% reporting they had lost customers.

But 52% said they had suffered mental strain while 30% reported a loss of morale.

The survey also highlighted that many business owners were unprepared for the impact, with 65% either having no funds, or insufficient funds, to carry them through this difficult time.

Some 41% added they expected to see turnover drop by between 10-30%.

Adapting to the changes, some 57% furloughed staff, 42% of business owners reduced their own salaries and 38% have been forced to take out loans to keep their businesses going.

Miguel Calabrese, managing director of Blue Rock Accounting said: "One respondent lost 98% of their income during the first nine weeks of lockdown, but has since recovered and is now predicting turnover reductions of 30% down year-on-year. Someone else commented that it wasn’t losses so much, but that growth next year would be what’s impacted.

"One thing that has really stood out is the resilience of small business owners, and their ability to adapt when under pressure.

"One of our local bakeries is now selling make your own pizza kits where they deliver a box with all the ingredients and families can make their own pizzas. They have replicated this approach for brownies, cakes, cookies etc. This is just one example of triumph in difficult circumstances, and a testimony to how great Britain’s small businesses are.”

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