A wave of optimism is surging through Leicestershire businesses for the first time in months, a survey has shown.

More than half of 30 firms questioned by the Leicester Mercury said they were noticing the "green shoots of recovery".

After months of economic gloom, businesses reported a rise in exports while one had begun to re-hire people previously made redundant. All stressed they were looking to the future with "cautious optimism".

The Mercury poll comes as a new quarterly report by Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce into businesses in the county found trade has risen and jobs were safer.

Dennis Kent, managing director of Carlton Laser Services, in Thurmaston Boulevard, Leicester, said: "We've seen a definite revival but not enough to say we've turned a corner yet. But business is going the right way and it's meant that we've been able to take people back who we made redundant a few months ago."

Greg Latham, managing director of the recruitment firm Encore, said: "We started to notice things pick up in April and since then business has been very good."

Steve Ruddick, owner of Browns Health and Safety, in Lutterworth, said: "We have noticed a distinct upturn in work and inquiries. The inquiries are increasingly bearing fruit too."

Ray Vernon, managing director for steel manufacturing firm V&S Fabrications, in Enderby, said: "We're turning work away. In the last couple of weeks we've turned down three jobs because we physically can't take any more on. But we're one of the lucky ones."

Caroline Holden, commercial affairs director at The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, in Wigston, said: "Our training business is buoyant and we're seeing a lot of interest from organisations. Our view would be that we're cautiously optimistic, and nurturing and encouraging new and existing clients is the best recipe for success in the current climate."

Of the 30 firms who took part in the poll, 15 had noticed an improvement in business over the past six months.

Five said they had not been touched by the recession, while 10 said they had seen no improvement.

Nationally, the economy shrank by 2.4% in the first three months of 2009 – the sharpest quarterly fall in more than half a century.

Bill Maxted, senior lecturer in real estate finance at De Montfort University, said: "We're in limbo really, any recovery that comes along won't be a fast one, it's more likely it will be long and drawn-out.

"The recovery we are seeing may not be a result of the economy bouncing back.

"It could simply mean that all these businesses who halted their production lines back in September have run out of stock and need to produce more."

Most affected sectors by the recession are finance, construction and hospitality.