BUSINESSES in South Buckinghamshire are prospering in spite of the news that firms could be axing hundreds of jobs according to research by a Chesham company.

Chesham-based credit information company Wyse Leasing said "it's not all doom and gloom on the local job front", in spite of announcements that more than 200 jobs could be lost from two large firms, including business information providers D&B.

As reported in the Free Press two weeks ago, RAC in Bourne End and furniture manufacturers William Bartlett, in High Wycombe, are making substantial redundancies.

But, in a survey of High Wycombe businesses, Wyse Leasing found that while there has been some bad news among medium to large employers, many smaller businesses were continuing to prosper.

The survey showed that more than 8,223 limited companies were trading in the HP5 to HP15 postcode area, of which 499 firms have a turnover in excess of £1million and 33 have an annual turnover of more than £100m. Furthermore, 66 new businesses were registered in the first half of 2005.

Penn resident and Wyse Leasing chairman, Jeremy Hall, said: "While it is clear from recent UK surveys, the number of businesses failing has continued to rise, it is certainly not all doom and gloom.

"Our business is continuing to expand and we are in the process of recruiting for positions in our Chesham office for both Wyse Assist and Wyse Leasing."