Growth expectations among Welsh firms have dropped to their lowest level for 15 months, with only six per cent planning to recruit this summer

ALMOST nine in ten people in Wales believe the Government should do more to support small businesses, according to new research published as confidence among Welsh firms continues to weaken.

The survey found that 87% of Welsh adults wanted stronger government backing for small businesses, up from 84% when the same question was asked two years ago.

Separate tracking by Novuna Business Finance suggests the proportion of Welsh small businesses expecting to grow has fallen from 28% in the spring to 20% during the summer quarter.

That is the lowest level recorded in Wales for 15 months and compares with 32% at the same point last year.

The figures also indicate that many business owners are concentrating on protecting their existing operations rather than expanding.

Around 34% said managing fixed costs was their main priority for securing future growth, while only 5% were preparing to enter new markets and just 6% planned to recruit additional staff.

Rates, energy and tax pressures

Reducing the costs faced by small firms emerged as the strongest theme among Welsh respondents.

Almost a third, 32%, called for lower business rates, although responsibility for the business rates system in Wales lies with the Welsh Government rather than Westminster.

A further 22% wanted corporation tax reduced for smaller companies, while 20% called for a reduction in National Insurance.

Employers have faced increased National Insurance costs, which Novuna said had previously been identified by almost half of small-business owners as a threat to their finances and growth plans.

Energy bills were another major concern. Some 23% of Welsh respondents supported the introduction of a cap on energy costs for small businesses, similar to protections available to domestic consumers.

The condition of town centres and shopping areas also featured prominently, with 27% calling for major government investment to regenerate high streets.

Brexit and overseas trade

Businesses’ ability to trade internationally was another area where respondents wanted changes.

Around 26% said the UK Government should reduce the paperwork and administrative barriers faced by small businesses trading overseas.

A further 23% wanted the UK to reverse Brexit and rejoin the European Union.

Looking towards longer-term workforce development, 15% called for greater investment in apprenticeships and a wider rollout of apprenticeship schemes.

Another 16% wanted additional training and development programmes for small-business owners and their employees.

Jo Morris, Head of Insight at Novuna Business Finance, said small firms remained central to local communities and the wider economy.

She said: “People deal with small businesses most days, a strong small-business sector helps communities work well, and many consumers themselves either run or work for a small business.

“Our Business Barometer data reveals a low point for small-business growth forecasts this month, but, set against these challenges, 62% of Welsh small businesses are still committed to exploring new ways to secure future growth.”

She added that reducing costs and taxation could give businesses greater confidence to invest in equipment, improve productivity and create jobs.

The small-business research was conducted online by YouGov for Novuna Business Finance among 1,000 UK small businesses between July 5 and July 8, 2026.

The consumer polling was carried out on July 17 among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 members of the public. The number of Welsh respondents included in the consumer survey was not stated in the news release.

A SMALL Pembrokeshire brewing company has been formally wound up after its owners concluded the business could no longer continue.

Black Tar Brewing Co Ltd, which was registered in Llangwm, entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation following a meeting of company members on February 27, 2026.

The meeting was held at the Swansea offices of Stones & Co Insolvency Practitioners, where Gareth Stones was appointed to oversee the closure.

The company’s registered address was at Gail Rise in Llangwm, near Haverfordwest, and official records listed its activities as beer manufacturing.

No public details have yet been released about the size of the business, the value of its assets or the amount owed to creditors.

As liquidator, Mr Stones will now take control of the company’s affairs, identify any remaining assets and determine whether funds are available for those owed money.

Creditors are expected to receive further information as the process develops.

The liquidation was initiated by the company rather than through a court order, meaning its members voted to bring trading to an end and place its finances in the hands of an insolvency practitioner.

A public notice connected to the closure directs creditors and other interested parties to Stones & Co for further information.

The winding-up brings an end to the Llangwm-registered brewery, although the company’s recent level of trading and the number of people connected to the business remain unclear.

A 67-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after new potential evidence emerged in connection with a death more than three decades ago.

Dyfed-Powys Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of 58-year-old Bentley Mathias, who died in hospital in 1991.

Mr Mathias died at Morriston Hospital on November 19, 1991, with his cause of death recorded at the time as a brain haemorrhage.

His death was not initially treated as suspicious. However, police said new potential evidence had since come to light, prompting the case to be investigated as a murder enquiry.

On Wednesday, July 22, officers arrested a 67-year-old man from the Llandewi Velfrey area of Pembrokeshire on suspicion of murder.

He has since been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

The enquiry remains ongoing.