A CHARITY is warning small businesses across Dorset to seek free advice if they are struggling to cope with their debts, after it was revealed that there were 2,880 ‘business deaths’ in the county last year.

The Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs Business Debtline, says that many sole traders and other small business owners are leaving it too late to seek advice.

The warning comes after new figures showed the struggles facing many businesses in the area.

There were a total of 2,880 so-called ‘business deaths’ – de-registrations – in Dorset in 2013, according to the Office of National Statistics.

At the same time, 3,620 businesses were created. However, around one in four new businesses in the county – 23 pe rcent – do not survive to see their second birthday.

Business Debtline is the only free debt advice service for small business owners and sole traders in the UK. Last year the service helped around 40,000 people with business-related debts, with 54 per cent of callers able to overcome their immediate problems and continue to trade.

Joanna Elson, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs Business Debtline, said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy in Dorset and across the UK as a whole.

“With more and more people becoming self-employed, the need for free, independent advice to help small business owners who fall into financial difficulty has never been greater.

“I would urge any small business owner in Dorset who is struggling to cope with debt to seek free advice from Business Debtline as soon as possible.

“Our expert advisers – many of whom have experience of running small businesses themselves – are on hand to give local small businesses the help and support they need to get back on their feet and continue trading.”

The charity recently launched a new Business Debtline website – including a range of features for business owners in debt, including factsheets, budget tools and sample letters, all in one place.

Small business owners in Dorset can find out more at businessdebtline.org or by calling 0800 197 6026.