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Neighbourhood Board Business Needs Survey
1.
Tell us what you think of the current business environment in Eastbourne. Please tick all those that apply.
Eastbourne is an excellent business location
Eastbourne has declined as a business location in recent years
Eastbourne has a strong enterprise culture
More help is needed to help Eastbourne businesses thrive
Other comments:
2.
As a business professional, what would you like to see the Neighbourhood Board focus on in the next 5-10 years? On a scale of 1-5, where 1 is NOT IMPORTANT and 5 is VERY IMPORTANT.
1
2
3
4
5
Access to business support / finance
1
2
3
4
5
Active travel schemes across the borough e.g. cycle lanes
1
2
3
4
5
Business growth grants / enterprise initiatives
1
2
3
4
5
Climate change resilience / net zero / renewable energy initiatives
1
2
3
4
5
Developing a stronger night time economy
1
2
3
4
5
Digital and AI projects for business
1
2
3
4
5
Improved town centre facilities and safety
1
2
3
4
5
Influencing local and regional economic policy
1
2
3
4
5
Infrastructure investment / commercial premises / development
1
2
3
4
5
Inward investment (e.g.The Eden Project?) / new sectors
1
2
3
4
5
Leisure, sports and wellness facilities
1
2
3
4
5
Local procurement and supply chain development
1
2
3
4
5
Marketing and promotion of year-round tourism in Eastbourne
1
2
3
4
5
The Seafront
1
2
3
4
5
Skills training for local people of all ages
1
2
3
4
5
Travel, public transport and parking
1
2
3
4
5
Other (please specify)
3.
Please rank your most pressing business related concerns on a scale of 1-5, where 1 is NOT IMPORTANT and 5 is VERY IMPORTANT
1
2
3
4
5
Access to finance / cash flow
1
2
3
4
5
Access to childcare
1
2
3
4
5
Business planning for the future
1
2
3
4
5
Decline in tourism trade generally
1
2
3
4
5
Exports / tariffs
1
2
3
4
5
Finding, training and retaining staff
1
2
3
4
5
Finding suitable premises
1
2
3
4
5
Demand for non-serviced accommodation e.g. Airbnb
1
2
3
4
5
Increased competition
1
2
3
4
5
International trade / EU red tape
1
2
3
4
5
Technology, cyber security, AI & digital transformation
1
2
3
4
5
Rising costs / profitability / pricing
1
2
3
4
5
Regulatory compliance
1
2
3
4
5
Sales and marketing
1
2
3
4
5
Supply chain management
1
2
3
4
5
Work life balance / employee wellbeing
1
2
3
4
5
Other (please specify)
4.
What is your business sector?
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, horticulture, viticulture, marine
Mining and quarrying
Manufacturing
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation
Construction
Wholesale and motor retail, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
Transportation and storage
Accommodation and food service
Information and communication including digital
Financial and insurance
Real estate / property services
Professional, scientific and technical
Business support and administration
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security
Education
Human health and social work
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Retail
E-commerce, online retail, online training, online subscription services and trading platforms
Voluntary third sector - charities, CICs and social enterprises
5.
Is your business in Eastbourne.....
A home based sole trader
A home based micro business (9 staff or fewer)
A small business in a shared space / work hub
A private company or partnership operating from one independent location
A private company or partnership operating from two or more locations
Part of a group or chain with multiple branches
A Company HQ or PLC
Internationally owned
Other (please specify)
6.
How long has your business been established?
Less than 2 years
2-5 years
6-10 years
11+ years
7.
Where are your customers based? Tick all that apply.
In Eastbourne
In Sussex outside Eastbourne
In the South East (outside Sussex and London)
In London
In the UK (outside London and the South East)
Internationally
8.
What is your role in the business?
Owner / co-owner
Sole Trader / freelancer
Director / senior manager
Branch / premises manager
Franchisee
Other (please specify)
9.
Where is your business located in Eastbourne?
Home
Retail / business park
Seafront
Town centre
Other (please specify)
10.
In what type of premises do you operate in Eastbourne?
Home based
Hotel / guest house / B&B
Industrial / workshop / gym premises
Retail
Restaurant / Cafe / Pub / Club / Bar
Warehouse / distribution
Offices
Other (please specify)
11.
In the medium term (1-5 years) do you anticipate the need to relocate your business?
Yes - due to expansion
Yes - due to contraction or merger
No
Unsure
12.
What was your Company's turnover last financial year?
Up to £249K
£250K to £499K
£500K to £999K
£1m to £4.9m
£5m to £9.9m
£10m +
I'd prefer not to say
13.
In this financial year do you expect your turnover to...
Expand
Contract
Remain the same
I'd prefer not to say
14.
How many people does your company employ directly in Eastbourne?
Just me
2-9
10-49
50-99
100-249
250+
15.
Have you recruited people for Eastbourne based roles in the last 12 months?
Yes
No
16.
In your experience, do you think there are sufficient candidates with relevant experience in Eastbourne?
Probably yes
Probably not
Unsure
N/A
Graduate trainees
Probably yes
Probably not
Unsure
N/A
Middle / senior management
Probably yes
Probably not
Unsure
N/A
Contract workers / freelancers / temporary staff
Probably yes
Probably not
Unsure
N/A
People with digital / AI skills
Probably yes
Probably not
Unsure
N/A
People with construction / trade skills
Probably yes
Probably not
Unsure
N/A
People with hospitality / hotel skills
Probably yes
Probably not
Unsure
N/A
People with engineering / technical skills
Probably yes
Probably not
Unsure
N/A
Clinical or primary care workers
Probably yes
Probably not
Unsure
N/A
People with retail skills
Probably yes
Probably not
Unsure
N/A
People with sales skills
Probably yes
Probably not
Unsure
N/A
Other (please specify)
17.
In Eastbourne are your staffing levels likely to change in the coming year?
Expand
Contract
Remain the same
18.
How far do your employees typically travel to work?
Less than one mile
1-4 miles
5-9 miles
10 miles +
19.
Would you like to be added to the Neighbourhood Board e-new distribution list? If yes, please enter your email address here:
20.
What is your business name:
*
21.
What is your business postcode:
(Required.)
22.
What is your name:
23.
Are you a member of a local network?
Chalk Eastbourne
Eastbourne
unLtd
Chamber of Commerce
Your Eastbourne BID
Eastbourne Hospitality Association
Federation of Small Business
Institute of Directors (Sussex)
Seafront Stakeholder Group
Sea Defences Stakeholder Group
Sussex Chamber of Commerce
Cornerstones Networking Group
BNI
Wayfinder Woman
Other (please specify)
24.
How did you hear of this survey?
Eastbourne Borough Council
Eastbourne Neighbourhood Board
Eastbourne
unLtd
Chamber of Commerce
Local press
Social Media
Word of mouth / colleague
Other (please specify)
25.
Thank you for completing this questionnaire. Your input is extremely valuable and will inform the work of the Eastbourne Neighbourhood Board. If you would like further information about our work, please visit https://www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/Eastbourne-Neighbourhood-Board.
If you would like to add a further comment to this survey, please do so below.