For many owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the past few months have been all about survival, a new report underlines, but things in the area could be changing.

As restrictions lift and trading is permitted once again, there are clear signs entrepreneurs are ready to get moving, according to a business advice report from Cirencester-based wealth management firm St James's Place.

“In the last three weeks, we’ve seen a shift. Businesses are stabilising, and there’s now a sentiment of optimism,” said Martin Brown, a business advisor. “Owners are beginning to think about how to grow again.”