Firms from across the region are experiencing an end-of-year confidence boost, according the latest research from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
The bank's Business Barometer survey took feedback from 100 North East businesses between the end of November and mid December, and found confidence rose 24 points to 34%. Regional companies reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 31 points at 41%. And their optimism in the economy increased 14 points to 25%.
The findings pointed to stronger hiring intentions with 34% of firms expecting to grow their workforces - a 21 point increase on last month. Decision makers signalled their priority areas over the next six months to be investing in teams (45%), evolving their offering (28%) and investing in sustainability (28%).
