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Thank you for participating in the South Cheshire Chamber's Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Q3 2024. 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.

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

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

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* 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...

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* 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...

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* 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

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* 6. RECRUITMENT

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

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* 7. If yes,

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

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* 8. RECRUITMENT DIFFICULTIES

  Yes No
Did you experience any difficulties finding suitable staff?

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* 9. If yes,

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

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* 10. CASHFLOW

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

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

  will increase? remain constant? will decrease?
turnover
profitability

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

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

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* 13. CAPACITY

  full capacity? below capacity?
Are you currently operating at

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* 14. PRICES

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

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* 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?

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* 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.

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

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