Shropshire Chamber Coronavirus Business Survey Results

The Chamber created this survey to understand precisely how the coronavirus outbreak is affecting Shropshire businesses. We are committed to understanding how local businesses are coping with the current crisis and specific issues they are facing and bringing these to attention at the national level.

Survey Results Week 6 – June 1 – 9

Click image to view full results

Results drawn from interactions made by both the Chamber Membership Team and DIT International Trade Advisors. The results were collected from a survey conducted between 1^st– 9^th June.

Of those surveyed, 61% were micro businesses, 30% small, 4% medium and 4% large.

Survey Results Week 5 – May 20 – 28

Click image to view full results

Results drawn from interactions made throughout May, from both the Chamber Membership Team and DIT International Trade Advisors.

Of those surveyed, 65% were micro businesses, 27% small, 4% medium and 4% large.

Survey Results Week 4 – May 4 – 18

Click image to view full results

We collated data from 899 interaction with members around the effect Coronavirus has had on their business.

Key results include:

Over 70% of respondents identified as Micro Businesses (between 1 and 10 staff)
75% of those surveyed operate in Shropshire, with 25% based in Telford and Wrekin
36% of those surveyed identified as self-employed
Over 60% of respondents stated that they had now applied for support via The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, this is an increase of 10% on the previous week
A majority of businesses (53%) stated they have an interest in digital marketing training opportunities
Firms told us that staff wellbeing, remote sales and business development, and managing change training opportunities would all be useful moving forward
Businesses are concerned about accessing PPE once their workplaces re-open
Further clarity on specific sectors re-opening their workplaces, and greater information from government on their longer-term plans to support businesses were both cited as crucial in supporting firms
Businesses expressed issues over ineligibility for government grants and, slow and difficult loan applications
As expected, some firms have stated they have experienced a drop in international trade

Survey Results Week 3 – Week commencing April 27

Click image to views full results:

We collated data from 102 members around the effect Coronavirus has had on their business.

Key results include:

A majority of firms surveyed have furloughed members of staff with 77% stating some level of furlough within their business, this figure is relatively unchanged from last week’s 79%
80% of businesses surveyed told us that they feel confident they will be able to operate moving forward due to the Job Retention Scheme going live, a figure which is unchanged from the previous week
92% had not encountered difficulties with landlords over business rental payments, an increase of 1% on the previous week
There was a 50:50 split between those surveyed who had and had not applied for the Job Retention Scheme, of the half of those who had not yet applied 65% stated they have no intention of applying for the scheme in future, in last week’ survey we found that 54% of firms had not yet applied for the scheme and of those, 64% intended on applying
58% believe they have around 3-6 months cash flow reserves, which is down 4% on the previous week
Following the Coronavirus crisis 32% feel that support managing cash flow would be helpful in assisting their business, which is a fall of 10% on the previous week
However, 29% have expressed assistance in moving their business capacity online would be beneficial and 28% called for greater support in managing employees returning from furlough

Survey Results Week 2 – Week commencing April 20

We collated data from 113 members around the effect Coronavirus has had on their business.

Key results include:

A majority of those surveyed have now furloughed members of staff (79%)
Following HMRC’s Job Retention portal going live on Monday 20 April, 80% of businesses now feel confident that they will be able to operate moving forward
Over 90% of those surveyed had faced no difficulties with landlords over business rental payments
Around 54% of respondents expressed they had not applied for the government’s furlough scheme. Of the 54% who had not yet applied 64% of these expressed that they intend to apply in the future.’
62% of those surveyed indicated they have around 3-6 months of cash flow reserves
Following the Coronavirus crisis 42% of those surveyed stated that support in managing cash flow would helpful in assisting their business

Survey Results Week 1 – Week commencing April 13

We collated data from 140 members around the effect Coronavirus has had on their business.

Key results include:

Of those surveyed 78% stated they have all the appropriate information regarding the various government relief packages.
65% of firms had already furloughed members of staff.
The vast majority of those surveyed have not encountered difficulties with landlords over business rental payments (90%).
Worryingly, 39% of those surveyed do not feel confident that they will be able to operate as a business before receiving government assistance.
84% of those surveyed expressed that they haven’t had to close their business permanently with 10% stating they have.
Positively, most businesses have not requested to delay payments to suppliers (64%).
A majority of businesses (74%) have told us that they have not withheld payments to suppliers.