Exit

Thank you for participating in the South Cheshire Chamber's Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Q1 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.

Question Title

* 1. Which is the most appropriate category for your business?

Question Title

* 2. How many people does your business employ?
(Estimate if not known; sole trader = 1)

Question Title

* 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...

Question Title

* 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...

Question Title

* 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

Question Title

* 6. RECRUITMENT

  Yes No
Have you attempted to recruit staff over the past 3 months?

Question Title

* 7. If yes,

  part-time jobs? full-time jobs? temporary jobs? permanent jobs?
were they for

Question Title

* 8. RECRUITMENT DIFFICULTIES

  Yes No
Did you experience any difficulties finding suitable staff?

Question Title

* 9. If yes,

  Skilled manual/Technical Clerical Professional/Managerial Un and semi-skilled
for which of the following categories of employee?

Question Title

* 10. CASHFLOW

  improved? remained the same? worsened?
During the past 3 months, has your cashflow

Question Title

* 11. CONFIDENCE
Over the next 12 months, do you believe that

  will increase? remain constant? will decrease?
turnover
profitability

Question Title

* 12. Over the past 3 months, what changes have you made to your investment plans for

  Increased Remained constant Decreased
Plant/Machinery/Equipment?
Training?

Question Title

* 13. CAPACITY

  full capacity? below capacity?
Are you currently operating at

Question Title

* 14. PRICES

  increase remain constant decrease
Over the next 3 months, do you expect the price of your goods/services to

Question Title

* 15. 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?

Question Title

* 16. 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.

Question Title

* 17. What business challenges are you facing at the moment? Or do you have any further comments? 

T