Is broadband an important issue for your business?

Broadband connectivity is an important issue for business success, according to the Quarterly Economic Survey run in quarter one by the Sheffield City Region’s four Chambers of Commerce and Local Enterprise Partnership and sponsored by RBS South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire.

The business support organisations listened to the feedback of nearly 500 respondents and will ask further questions about broadband concerns as well other issues such as skills shortages and international trade needs in this quarter’s survey, which launches today (Monday 23 May).

“Once again we have an important opportunity for our businesses to get their voice heard. The survey results are used by the SCR Local Enterprise Partnership and all the Chambers in Barnsley & Rotherham, Doncaster, East Midlands and Sheffield to help set the mandate for our work; to provide the right business services and to lobby local, regional and national government and decision-makers to help shape policy and support for businesses,” said Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber Chief Executive, Andrew Denniff.

As an extra incentive for businesses in the Sheffield City Region to take the survey, all respondents will be entered into a free prize draw to win a pair of flights to Amsterdam, courtesy of Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield.

As well as completing the survey, all businesses are invited to attend the free Quarterly Economic Survey Breakfast on 12 July to network with other regional businesses, hear the quarter two survey results and a debate ‘Broadband: Bridging the Digital Divide for Business’ with ICT support and telecoms solutions businesses.

The Quarterly Economic Survey, run by the British Chambers, is the country’s biggest and longest- running private sector survey. It acts as an economic indicator and often highlights underlying trends in the economy long before other surveys or other official statistics pick them up. The survey is sponsored in the Sheffield City region by RBS South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire.

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee uses the QES as a key benchmark when setting interest rates.

Take the survey: www.screconomy.org.uk.
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