ALMOST a third of small business owners in the south will be too busy to take a single day's holiday this summer - and red tape is to blame.

In a poll of over 500 small business entrepreneurs across the UK, conducted on Startups.co.uk, 30 per cent admitted that they wouldn't be taking any days off this summer.

A further 24 per cent said they would take a break but that it wouldn't be for any longer than a week. Less than half of the respondents believed they were able to walk away from their business for a full fortnight's holiday.

Marcus Austin, editor-in-chief of Startups.co.uk, said the figures show just how hard entrepreneurs are working to make their businesses succeed.

"Everybody knows that if you decide to start and run your own business, you'll be giving up the standard 20 days paid holiday forever, and that you'll inevitably work longer hours than you did as an employee," said Mr Austin.

"But that said, business owners need a rest as much as anyone else and it's a concern to see that so many are unable to take any holiday at all this summer.

"Increases in red tape appear to be the main reason for entrepreneurs' lack of spare time.

In two other recent polls conducted by Startups.co.uk, almost two-thirds of business owners claimed they would spend more time administering red tape over the next 12 months; and 'a reduction in red tape' was voted as the main business priority for Gordon Brown to tackle in the Budget. Mr Austin said: "The government is doing everything it can to protect workers' rights and we welcome that. But it can't keep ignoring the plight of the business owner.

"If it's serious about making Britain the best place in the world to start a business it must reduce the red tape burden that's threatening to jeopardise the health of both the start-up business and its owner - and give them a well-deserved break."

What are your worst red tape regulations? Share the frustration with Business South by e-mailing acting Business Editor Ron Wain using the link above