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South Cheshire Chamber QES Q4 2025

Thank you for participating in the South Cheshire Chamber's Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Q4 2025. The QES is the UK’s largest and longest-running independent survey of business sentiment. The responses you give help us understand the economic indicators for our region and the wider North West. The national results of the QES are among the critical inputs used by the HM Government and the Bank of England for making important economic decisions.

The survey should only take a few minutes to complete. All responses will remain anonymous.
NOTE: If based at your head office, please answer for the whole UK operation.
1.Which is the most appropriate category for your business?(Required.)
2.How many people does your business employ?
(Estimate if not known; sole trader = 1)
(Required.)
3.DOMESTIC DEMAND
For businesses involved in the UK market, excluding seasonal variations, over the past three months...
increased
remained constant
decreased
a) sales/custom/bookings have...
b) orders/advance custom/bookings have...
4.INTERNATIONAL DEMAND
For businesses involved in the OVERSEAS market, excluding seasonal variations, over the past 3 months...
increased
remained constant
decreased
a) sales/custom/bookings have...
b) orders/advance custom/bookings have...
5.LABOUR FORCE
increased
remained constant
decreased
Over the past three months, has your workforce
Over the next three months, do you expect your workforce to
6.RECRUITMENT
Yes
No
Have you attempted to recruit staff over the past 3 months?
7.If yes,
part-time jobs?
full-time jobs?
temporary jobs?
permanent jobs?
were they for
8.RECRUITMENT DIFFICULTIES
Yes
No
Did you experience any difficulties finding suitable staff?
9.If yes,
Skilled manual/Technical
Clerical
Professional/Managerial
Un and semi-skilled
for which of the following categories of employee?
10.To what extent does your business currently face challenges in accessing the skills or training needed to support growth?
11.What types of support would help your business address skills or training gaps?
12.Do you currently work with your local college?
13.CASHFLOW
improved?
remained the same?
worsened?
During the past 3 months, has your cashflow
14.CONFIDENCE
Over the next 12 months, do you believe that
will increase?
remain constant?
will decrease?
turnover
profitability
15.Over the past 3 months, what changes have you made to your investment plans for
Increased
Remained constant
Decreased
Plant/Machinery/Equipment?
Training?
16.CAPACITY
full capacity?
below capacity?
Are you currently operating at
17.PRICES
increase
remain constant
decrease
Over the next 3 months, do you expect the price of your goods/services to
18.PRICE PRESSURES
Pay Settlements
Raw Material Prices
Utilities (for e.g. gas and electricity)
Fuel (for e.g. diesel for fleet)
Finance Costs
Other Overheads
Is your business currently suffering pressures to raise its prices from any of the following?
19.EXTERNAL FACTORS
Interest Rates
Exchange Rates
Business Rates
Inflation
Competition
Corporate Tax
Please indicate which of these following factors are more of a concern to your business.
20.What business challenges are you facing at the moment? Or do you have any further comments?