Small businesses in Essex are being told to get on with "housekeeping" - just in case there is a recession.

Terry Tabor, the county's Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) regional organiser, said the experts in the business world are predicting the UK will miss the recession currently hitting America.

But he stressed businesses should not be complacent.

"While it is being said there is not going to be a total recession, there are pockets of businesses that are being hit.

"The engineering and manufacturing sector is one," he said.

Mr Tabor warns small firms - which make up more than 85 per cent of Essex businesses - to do "housekeeping" now.

"The question they should ask themselves is what if there were a recession? Would I be likely to survive as I am operating now? They should do their sums and be better prepared.

"It is an exercise that could make them more profitable anyway by taking stock of their situation."

Mr Tabor says the present low interest rates have been helping businesses but thinks the euro has had little effect.

Mr Tabor said: "There is lots of help out there such as Business Link for Essex - and local enterprise agencies. The advice is free and their job is to help your business.

"You have got to know how to play the game."

Published Wednesday, February 20, 2002