Views sought on business challenges in Orkney

Businesses in Orkney are being invited to take part in the Orkney Business Survey 2019.

The survey, run by the Council's Economic Development team and the Business Gateway, aims to explore local business experiences in the current economic climate and identify the important challenges ahead.

It is hope the information gathered will provide an informed snapshot of business performance, business confidence and a current profile of Orkney businesses.

Responses will help to pinpoint the key issues affecting business in our community, and will inform the efficient and effective delivery of local business support services, with questions around business turnover, workforce size and plans for future development.

The survey will take around 15-20 minutes to complete and will be open until 19th July 2019. One respondent will be picked at random to win an iPad sponsored by Business Gateway.

You can access the survey online here.

Previous surveys were carried out in 2012, 2014 and 2016. 276 responses were received to the last survey - with broadband connectivity problems and the increasing use of social media emerging as some of the key themes.

The survey has in the past helped to provide supporting evidence for policy changes relating to business development, with the introduction of the Council's Flexible Business Development Grant a direct result of information gathered, and more recently a proposal for a new Small Business Training Grant.  Business Gateway has ensured it has delivered workshops in the top topics identified, and used the results in developing the programme for the 2018 Business Festival.

Claire Kemp is the Business Gateway Manager. She said: “To develop and expand support for current and future local businesses, it’s really important for us to get insights and understand the opportunities and challenges facing businesses in Orkney.  So I’d appeal to local enterprises of all sizes and sectors to complete this survey so that their input can shape the support the Council and Business Gateway may offer in the future.”

Business Gateway Orkney, situated at 14 Queen Street, Kirkwall, offers free and impartial advice to anyone wanting to start up or develop a business within Orkney.  The Business Gateway website provides a wealth of information tailored to your business needs, and the local office can provide you with information on regular free local workshops or provide one to one adviser support if required.

Orkney Islands Council can assist local businesses by providing information and assistance through the Business Gateway and where eligible by accessing Economic Development Grant Schemes. Grant assistance is provided under set policies and guidelines which specify what kinds of projects are eligible and how much assistance is given, as a proportion of the project cost.