Your Business. Your Voice. Your Region.

7th November 2016

Businesses across South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire are being urged to take the Sheffield City Region Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) to get their business voice heard.

Their feedback is used to help shape regional and national policy and support for the local business community. Hundreds of businesses of all sizes from across the region will take the survey to report on the economic climate of their business and highlight any concerns they want to be addressed at a local and national level by the region's Local Enterprise Partnership and four Chambers of Commerce. The survey this quarter is much quicker to complete under three minutes and questions businesses how they are faring post EU-Referendum from general turnover and international trade to skills and recruitment. It also covers current issues that matter to the regional economy such as the feasibility of a Trans-Pennine tunnel road scheme. -The Q4 QES asks businesses whether they are aware of the Trans-Pennine Tunnel feasibility study and for their opinion on what could be one of the largest infrastructure projects to be undertaken in the UK, says Steve Swann, Logistics Hub UK project manager. -The region's economy would significantly improve through the additional connectivity of the East and West coastal ports; the gateways of the North to World trade. The improved connectivity, however this may look, would also positively impact the current M62 road corridor allowing businesses to operate more profitably. These long term infrastructure projects (20+ years), would then align with the traffic, rail and air capacity needed in the developing World market place. The QES Q4 results will be released at a free Breakfast event on Tuesday 10 January 2017 for all businesses to attend and hear, as well as participate in lively debate between high profile business leaders about the proposed link between the East and West. The survey results will also be used to help set the mandate of work for the Sheffield City Region's Local Enterprise Partnership and four Chambers of Commerce to inform local, regional and national influencers and Whitehall. Last quarter, the British Chambers of Commerce presented the national results of the Q3 QES at a meeting with the Rt. Hon Philip Hammond MP, Chancellor, to influence the Autumn Statement. Says Sir Nigel Knowles, chairman of Sheffield City Region LEP: -If we know the challenges, issues and opportunities, we can work as partners to deliver and be accountable for doing so. As an extra incentive, all business people completing the survey will be entered into a free prize draw to win two free Flybe flights to Paris, courtesy of Doncaster Sheffield Airport. The Q4 Quarterly Economic Survey, sponsored by RBS South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire, is run by the region's Local Enterprise Partnership and four Chambers of Commerce, and is open to all Sheffield City Region businesses from Monday 7 November to Monday 28 November 2016. To influence policy and decision-making, and win free flights to Paris, visit screconomy.org.uk/survey Follow @SCReconomy on Twitter