EVEN the 1970s were a better time to do business than today, bosses have warned.
A poll by the Jobs Foundation found more entrepreneurs than not thought the period of industrial strife five decades ago was marginally better than the 2020s.
Some 78 per cent of family business owners are pessimistic about the economy in the coming year — while 80 per cent say Labour fails to understand enterprise.
The survey saw an overwhelming clamour for the Government to reduce energy costs for companies struggling with crippling bills.
Ministers were forced to U-turn on an inheritance tax raid on family firms and farms amid huge pressure from their own MPs.
They are also facing demands to save the country’s hospitality industry after The Sun revealed taxes and wage pressures forced one pub to close every day last year, on average.
We also revealed earlier how shoppers were stunned by a torrent of high street closures and collapses in 2025.
This year 54 retailers have gone resulting in the loss of 3,080 stores and 30,153 employees, according to the Centre for Retail Research.
Iconic outlets have vanished entirely, and some much-loved outlets have pulled the shutters on dozens of stores.
It comes as retail sales growth remains sluggish, still 3.3% below pre-pandemic levels, according to House of Commons data.
Brands that have paid the price include Claire’s, WH Smith and Quiz Clothing.
River Island, New Look and Poundland all had to close stores.
