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A major survey aimed at gauging the mood and plans for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire’s businesses in a post-Brexit world is set to open for entries – with companies being urged to make their voices heard.
More than 150 businesses from across the region took part in The Greater Peterborough Business Survey last year, and the organisers are aiming to expand the reach further in a watershed year for many firms, as the impacts of Brexit become clearer.
The 2019 survey identified a 25 per cent drop in the number of firms that were expecting to see an improvement in their business fortunes for the next 12 months compared to the year before, with 41 per cent also stating a year ago that Brexit was having a negative impact on the future expectations for their business.
The 2020 Greater Peterborough Business Survey is in its seventh year and is organised by business advisory firm Baldwins – a CogitalGroup company – which has offices on Lincoln Road in Peterborough and Bar Road in Cambridge. The survey is also supported by economic development company, Opportunity Peterborough.
Businesses can fill out the survey online from Friday, January 31 2020 until Wednesday, March 18 2020 – with the results set to be revealed on 29 April at the Opportunity Peterborough Bondholder Breakfast.
Mark Jackson, Partner at Baldwins in Peterborough, has been advising businesses across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire for nearly 30 years.
He said: “The survey launches on the day the UK is set to leave the EU, and as one period of uncertainty ends, we enter into a period of working out how businesses will trade with the EU in the future.
“We know there was a significant drop in a positive outlook amongst businesses last year – with businesses citing recruiting skilled staff and price pressures from suppliers and customers as stifling growth. That said, 39 per cent of businesses said they were expecting an improvement in their businesses in 2019, and it will be interesting to see whether this will rise again this year.
“As well as questions on recruitment and property needs in Greater Peterborough, we have added in extra questions this year about whether businesses are looking to acquire a new business and how much they have considered their impact on the environment.
“The survey results provide a valuable resource to business owners of trends, challenges and opportunities in the region and we encourage every business to complete the survey to help each other thrive in what is a very important 12 months ahead.”
Tom Hennessy, Chief Executive of economic development company, Opportunity Peterborough, added: “The results of this survey are a huge help when we’re looking at service delivery and what support we should provide businesses with. It’s also a useful resource when we’re promoting Peterborough to potential investors and working with intermediaries, trade bodies and all levels of government.
“There is now more certainty around Brexit but this will represent new opportunities and challenges that will need swift action.
“This is a crucial stage in Peterborough’s growth, particularly with the regeneration of several sites around the city centre and the new university, so it’s really important that we provide the right support for businesses so the city remains a premier location in the UK for ambitious businesses.”
To enter The 2020 Greater Peterborough Business Survey visit http://bit.ly/peterboroughsurvey