The current economic climate is making survival for small businesses a difficult feat. The rising cost of lending, coupled with the reluctance of many banks to lend at all is making it harder for struggling companies to extend their credit. This is a bad news for everyone if otherwise-profitable businesses are being bankrupted by deleterious interest levels. For many businesses, their survival was dependant on the bubble which was burst in 2007; the recession was inevitably going to clear them out for the benefit of the economy. It is important though for entrepreneurs to continue to spawn, to make the most of the recession and take the lead into the new period of growth. It is necessary to identify the sectors which can afford to minimise losses through downsizing and help save the competitive market places and of course, jobs. One important issue many SMEs need to deal with is the appropriate acquisition of office space in a downsizing plan; many are looking to their gardens. Garden sheds offer all the comforts of a small office space without many of the rental costs and with a lovely working environment. Sheds are now a vital option for a sole trader with the need to downsize. With no need to gain planning permission and without building restrictions, sheds can be big and perfectly adapted to requirements at a very reasonable cost. They can also add value to a property, without the capital outlay and need for credit an extension would require.

This option brings the best of both the home and office environments together, enabling families to spend more time with one another and for businesses to stay afloat in difficult times. It will not be a surprise to see new shed sales soar in this recession and old shed refurbishment markets flourish.