BUSINESSES in West Devon and the South Hams are invited to complete a survey that will help Devon Renaissance (DR) and local councils to understand how best to help. This includes applying for the funding to pay for this help.

The survey follows on from previous surveys over the last six years that have helped to bring over £4 million of funding into the area for projects that have provided — amongst other things — hundreds of free or subsidised training opportunities, IT equipment and advice, and funding directly to businesses to fulfill growth plans and to find suitable new premises.

In this new survey DR is keen to hear from all types of businesses, from new businesses that may not even be established yet to larger businesses that have been trading for many years, and everything in between.  

Liz Abell of DR said: 'We hope to understand what issues businesses are facing at the moment, and what help might be useful to address these issues.  

'We are also particularly interested to learn about the premises that businesses currently work from and if they want to make any changes in the future, either by relocating or adapting/expanding existing premises.

Liz said DR would like to encourage as many businesses as possible to respond, to get a good understanding of the needs of all businesses in this part of Devon.

'We have designed the survey to be really user friendly and quick to complete and so we hope that people will take part to help us to help them.'

DR is carrying out the survey in Partnership with South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council. Businesses can access the survey online at http:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Devonbusiness">www.surveymonkey.com/s/Devonbusiness

The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

If you do not have internet access just call the team on 01837 658643 to go through the questions over the phone.