2010 Lancashire Business Survey attracting record response

A SURVEY launched in June to determine the most critical issues facing Lancashire’s economy has already attracted a record number of respondents.

The latest figures show that more business owners have responded to 2010 Lancashire Business Survey over a one week period than the total number of responses received last year.

Danny Houghton, business development partner at Moore and Smalley Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, one of the organisations behind the survey, said the record number of responses shows the private sector’s determination in getting its voice heard.

The 2010 Lancashire Business Survey is being carried out by a partnership of private sector lobbying group Downtown Preston in Business, Moore and Smalley Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, Forbes Solicitors, the Northwest Regional Development Agency, Business Link Northwest, marketing communications consultancy Freshfield, and digital communications consultancy Soap Media.

Danny said: “As the coalition government’s plans for reducing the deficit become more apparent, along with the associated changes to business support and economic development activity, it’s of no surprise that the business community is keen to use the survey for getting its views across to the public sector agencies that govern them.”

Frank McKenna, chairman of Downtown Preston in Business, added: “From how Preston city centre should look to regenerate, through to the future of our coastal resorts, this survey gives businesses an opportunity to express opinions, while also providing important intelligence on sectors that are performing strongly, business hopes for the coming year, and any barriers to business confidence.”

The survey aims to capture the opinions, experiences and insights of some 500 of Lancashire’s foremost businesses with the analysis of the survey being supplied to key local and regional government to help shape policy making.

The survey is available online in either electronic or paper format and comprises a range of questions from economic performance to local issues.

The deadline for entries is September 3 and the survey's findings will be published in the autumn. Unlike previous years businesses have a full ten weeks to complete the 2010 questionnaire. This can be done in complete confidence, either online or in paper format.

For further information, visit: www.lancashirebusinesssurvey.co.uk.