The fortunes of Lancashire’s businesses are being blighted by red tape and a poor education system.

These are two of the many findings revealed by the Lancashire Business Survey which picked the minds of 500 of the county’s top businesses.

100 per cent of businesses surveyed said they felt they had been affected by red tape, with 90 per cent stating they do not believe the education system is preparing young people for work.

The results were revealed in Preston in front of Steve Broomhead, chief executive of the Northwest Development Agency, at the launch of Lancashire Business Week, run by lobbying and business group, Downtown Preston in Business.

DPIB collaborated with the Northwest Regional Development Agency, Moore & Smalley, DWF LLP and UCLan to put together the unique survey.

And despite 100 per cent of respondents being concerned about the credit crunch, Downtown chairman, Frank McKenna, says the results painted a positive outlook for the county’s economy. 

He said: “The overwhelming message is that, at a time when the international economy is suffering and experiencing something of a downturn, Lancashire is in many ways doing well.

“There are inevitable problems highlighted in the survey, such as a general lack of planning for car parking space and no public transport, but Lancashire has a positive outlook in many areas.

“Businesses here offer a huge range of staff benefits, have confidence in local regeneration projects and have not needed to turn to venture capital outfits to fund expansion plans.

“In practical terms, these results will arm DPIB with solid facts and figures which can use to lobby locally, regionally and nationally, to improve the opportunities available to the business community even more.”

Other guests taking part in Lancashire Business Week included Jim Carr, chief executive of Preston City Council.

Danny Houghton, marketing and business development director at Moore and Smalley, added: “This is the first time key opinion makers have had in their hands a comprehensive report detailing the positives and negatives of doing business in Lancashire.

“It is hard to argue with statistics in black and white, and this will be great ammunition for change, giving politicians and business leaders a starting point to campaign. This will be an annual report.

In a mix of financial, regional and national issues, other results included:

- 60 per cent of respondents believe there are benefits to be achieved from widening the M65 and increasing the motorway network capacity.

- A quarter is fairly confident the Tithebarn project in Preston will go ahead.

- Two thirds believe Blackpool can successfully regenerate itself to become a great resort again.

- 30 per cent of those questioned believe the government to be anti-business.

- BAE Systems, Booths supermarkets, Thwaites brewers, Beaverbrooks The Jewellers and Blackpool Pleasure Beach are thought of as icons of Lancashire industry.

- The building and construction sectors predict a reduction in sales will continue for the next 12 months.

- Wage costs have increased for every business.

- 60 per cent of businesses want St George’s Day to be a Bank Holiday.

- 100 per cent would be more likely to use renewable energy if Government grants were available.

- 70 per cent have banned the use of social networking sites during working hours.