SURVIVAL rather than expansion is the highest priority for small businesses in the West Devon and Torridge areas, according to a survey carried out by Sticklepath-based West Devon Business Information Point.
Questionnaires were sent out to 4,732 small businesses in an effort to find out the characteristics and needs of small rural concerns and to provide information on the development and delivery of support services to them.
The main businesses in the 602 companies that took part were in the agricultural, retail professional services and tourism or leisure sectors.
More than 40 per cent of them had an annual turnover of more than £100,000 — the majority of those were involved in engineering or transport.
For 77 per cent of businesses, their main priority was survival — very few had plans to expand or develop.
Businesses that took part in the survey, which was run in conjunction with North Devon Enterprise Agency, were also entered in a prize draw.
John Burnett, MP for West Devon and Torridge, presented the prizes at a ceremony in Bideford.
Mr Burnett congratulated the partnership for their 'excellent' work.
He said: 'I am delighted to present prizes to the winners who have been extremely successful.
'There is a feeling of great optimism in Devon and the South West that at last investment is coming into the area.
'North Devon Economic Partnership and West Devon Business Information Point provide valuable opportunities for training and advice, particularly for the small and medium-sized businesses which are the bedrock of our economy.'
The first prizewinner in the draw was Neils Walker of Jolinoy Unlimited at Winkleigh, who won £300.