Survey will take the views of Warwickshire businesses to Government

SMEs in Coventry and Warwickshire can get their views direct to the Government of the current and long-term effects of the Coronavirus pandemic by taking part in a regional survey.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) SME Supergroup Business Group has launched a survey to find out the true impact of Covid-19 on businesses in all sectors.

The data, which is being collected by the CWLEP Growth Hub, includes questions ranging from expected turnover to predictions on changes in the prices of materials, goods or services that businesses need, from the next four weeks to May 2021.

The survey also asks whether businesses have applied for any of the Government’s finance initiatives and how long they expect to take to return to pre-Covid-19 levels once the lockdown ends.

The results will be fed back to the Government, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council by the Growth Hub as part of the views of the area’s businesses to bounce back from Covid-19.

Sean Farnell, chair of the CWLEP SME Supergroup Business Group, said the results of the survey would be vital in putting together the recovery strategy across Coventry and Warwickshire.

He said: “SMEs are the backbone of our economy in Coventry and Warwickshire and we want to hear their views on how they are being affected by Covid-19 and how they see their future.

“It will give us the opportunity to collate all the responses and include them in the Growth Hub’s weekly report to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as well as share the findings with the WMCA and our local authorities.

“This will be used to understand the issues SMEs are facing and to sway the decision-making process regarding the type of future initiatives which are put in place to help businesses.

“We will then have a clear understanding of their concerns and this information will play a key role in the strategy document we put together to help SMEs in all sectors throughout Coventry and Warwickshire to continue operating through these difficult times now and in the future.”

Sean said it was the first time a targeted survey had been undertaken by the CWLEP SME Supergroup Business Group for its members and SMEs throughout Coventry and Warwickshire.

He added: “The Growth Hub has been encouraging businesses to take part in its regular Coronavirus Impact Survey but this is targeted at SMEs to get an up-to-date perspective on their worries and hopes in the short, medium and long-term for the future of their enterprises.”

To take part in the survey, please visit here.