Last Chance To Have Your Say In Major Business Survey.
Business owners across Westmorland and Furness are being urged to have their say in an annual council survey, with only a few days remaining before the deadline.
The online questionnaire is being run by Westmorland and Furness Council and will close on Monday, August 31. Hundreds of businesses have already taken part, but the council is encouraging more owners and operators to submit their views. The survey asks businesses about a range of issues affecting their current operations and future plans. Topics include business confidence, staffing requirements and future commercial premises needs.
Information gathered through the survey will help the council develop the Westmorland and Furness Local Plan, which will guide future development across the area. The Local Plan will consider how much development is needed in local communities, including new homes and employment sites. It will also establish how land should be allocated for different types of development.
Business feedback is expected to play an important role in understanding the future needs of the local economy, particularly the demand for commercial land and premises. The council says the information will help ensure future development takes account of economic, social and environmental considerations.
The questionnaire contains 29 closed questions and one open question and is expected to take between five and 10 minutes to complete. Council leader Jonathan Brook thanked businesses that have already responded and encouraged those who have not yet completed the survey to take part before the deadline.
He said the responses would provide valuable insight into businesses' current positions and their future plans, including their requirements for commercial land and premises. The survey comes as the council continues work on policies and strategies designed to support economic growth and guide sustainable development across Westmorland and Furness.
Business owners and operators are therefore being encouraged to use the remaining time to share their experiences and plans. The results could help provide the council with a clearer picture of the challenges facing local businesses and the infrastructure they may need in the future.
For smaller businesses in particular, taking part provides an opportunity to make their views known as decisions are made about future development and employment opportunities in the area. With the closing date approaching, businesses that have not yet responded are being urged to complete the questionnaire before Monday, August 31. The council says every response can contribute to developing policies that better reflect the needs of businesses and communities across Westmorland and Furness.
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