Research from the Tenon Forum found more than a third of small businesses are run by couples, while a quarter are operated alongside parents or siblings.

One in six told the survey they had inherited their business and almost a quarter planned to pass their enterprise on to a family member.

But a Tenon spokeswoman warned:

"Family businesses should seek solid, objective advice from outside the family circle to best ensure success and growth.

"Most critically, they should be wary of shoe-horning relatives into hereditary roles which they are not well-equipped or appropriately skilled for. Many solid businesses have been run into the ground by second or third generation owners who did not possess the ability or commitment needed for the business to thrive."