Perth & Kinross Council has today praised the strong response of local business leaders and owners as almost 1000 completed surveys have been returned already to the recently formed Covid-19 Business Support Task Force.
The Task Force – comprising of Perth & Kinross Council, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Business, Business Gateway, GrowBiz, the Perthshire Tourism Group and Perth Traders Group – launched the Business Barometer Survey on 21 May, coinciding with the First Minister’s announcement around the phased approach to easing lockdown in Scotland.
Perth & Kinross Council’s Head of Planning and Development David Littlejohn said: “The business intelligence gathered in this survey will help inform the crucial decisions that will shape the all-important economic recovery of the area in the immediate short term, and as we look towards the future. ”
Over 80% of respondents are micro and small businesses, including those who are self-employed and encouragingly, initial data shows that over 60% remain positive about the trading position of their company one year from now.
As would be expected in Perthshire, 34% of respondents identified their business as Hospitality and Tourism sector, while a further 20% identified as Retail.
Among the emerging key opportunities that respondents will seek to pursue as they reopen, the largest response identifies diversification to offer a new or additional product or service, followed by a focus on developing more online sales and direct delivery to their customer base.
And while a quarter of respondents will seek more partnership working with other local companies, the appetite for national business endeavours remains significant with a similar number stating that they will continue to specifically target new business from the other nations of the UK.
Mr Littlejohn added: “The response from business clearly shows that Perth and Kinross is ready to adapt and focus on the challenges ahead. We are an entrepreneurial region, with large numbers of self-employed and family businesses working side-by-side with national players.
“I am confident that with a willing and resilient business community, and focussed strategy for recovery, Perth and Kinross has the capabilities to emerge as one of Scotland’s strong local economies, from what will be undoubtedly the most significant economic challenge of our time. I would encourage anyone who hasn’t had the time yet to complete the survey to fill it in.”
The survey will run until June 4. https://www.investinperth.co.uk/business-barometer-perth-and-kinross-may-2020/ or https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PKCBusinessBarometer