Business owners are being invited to help ensure their views and insight to inform future economic support strategies and policies.

Westmorland and Furness Council’s Economic Development and Regeneration team has launched its first annual business survey and is urging members of the business community to take just five to 10 minutes to take part in this important data-gathering exercise.

With many challenges facing the economy and the reorganisation of local government to form the new Westmorland and Furness Council, it is critically important that business owners give their views and share their knowledge and views to help the council to better plan for future employment development and to understand the opportunities and challenges facing the business community.

The response will also make sure that the voice of the business community informs the development of the Westmorland and Furness Local Plan, setting out our strategy for land allocations in a way which ensures the right types of employment and housing development, balancing the economic, social and environmental impacts.

Issues covered in the survey include levels of confidence for the next 12 months, projected staffing levels, anticipated future business premises needs and the importance of addressing climate change to respondents

Councillor Jonathan Brook, Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council and Cabinet Member for the economy,  said: “Bringing together economic development and regeneration teams for the three localities of Barrow, Eden and South Lakeland into one under the Westmorland and Furness banner presents us with a tremendous opportunity to take a holistic view and tailor our work to ensure that our support strategies and policies make a really positive difference to business and the economy.

“The information we gather will be vital in giving us a clear picture of what is happening now, as well as an indication of future plans and commercial land and premises requirements, which means we can offer support and advice where required and also develop our strategies and policies based on first-hand evidence.”

The survey launched this week and runs until 28 June. Businesses will receive the survey by post and are encouraged to take part digitally by scanning the QR code when they receive the survey.

Meanwhile, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Economic Development and Regeneration team has launched a new website – Invest in Westmorland and Furness – to support our business community and potential inward investors to grow and thrive, with information about business support and opportunities, and a free business premises search tool coming soon. The website can be found at https://www.investinwestmorlandandfurness.co.uk/

An Invest in Westmorland and Furness email newsletter is also planned to boost businesses with useful news, information and signposts to support. Businesses interested can sign up to receive the newsletter here: https://westmorlandandfurness.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=2d1f0cc1037b18b45f1740cfc&id=261b434c06