Owners expect a quick Christmas

Dec 17 2007 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

MANY hard-working UK entrepreneurs will not be taking a break from running their business this festive season as one in 10 plan to work on Christmas Day, according to new research by UK business forums.

Some 10% of entrepreneurs responding to a poll by www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk said they intend to shun the festivities in favour of running their business.

Even among those who will sit down to a Christmas lunch, watch the Queen’s speech or check out the James Bond repeat, 33% confessed they are likely to check business emails or do something else company related at some point during the day.

Just 30% said they plan on doing no work whatsoever between December 25 and January 1, while 27% only intend to take Christmas Day and Boxing Day off and will be back running their business on December 27.

Dan Martin, administrator of UK Business Forums, said: “These figures demonstrate how dedicated the UK’s millions of entrepreneurs are to growing a successful business. When most of us will be sitting down with our friends and families to turkey and Christmas pudding, many small business owners will be working on building their company.

“However, it must be remembered that while the continual increases in the number of people starting their own venture is great news for the economy, more needs to be done to ensure that entrepreneurs’ are able to turn their dedication into long term success.”