2010 Lancashire Business Survey launched

 

A benchmarking project that evaluates the most critical issues facing Lancashire’s economy has been launched.

 

The 2010 Lancashire Business Survey in 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, Northwest Development Agency, Business Link Northwest, marketing communications consultancy Freshfield, and digital communications consultancy Soap Media.

 

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 will comprise a range of questions from economic performance to local issues.

 

Danny Houghton, business development partner at Moore and Smalley, said: “As Lancashire emerges from the recession into an ever-changing commercial landscape, it has never been more crucial for businesses to make their voices heard in the decision-making process.

 

“A significant part of the survey addresses business performance and, while there is no doubt that challenging times lie ahead, I firmly believe the unique entrepreneurial qualities of Lancashire businesses will enable them to compete strongly in the global economy.”

 

Frank McKenna, chairman of Downtown Preston in Business, said: “One of the major questions in the survey relates to the recently announced decision by the coalition government to abolish English regional development agencies. It will be interesting and instructive to gauge the reaction of Lancashire’s business leaders to this move.“In many ways Lancashire is a micro-economy within the North West, so it is important that the special issues that shape our commercial development are presented cohesively to the economic planners in central, regional and local government.”

 

The survey’s findings will be published in the Autumn and 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.