Small Business Week

As part of a wider analysis of the 2009 Business Pulse, we have analysed the different experiences and opinions of a range of businesses by region. The regions and countries surveyed were:

• north-west

• north-east

• Yorks and Humber

• West Midlands

• East Midlands

• east of England

• south-west

• south-east

• London

• Northern Ireland

• Scotland

• Wales

Wales, Scotland and the east of England say that they are the least impacted by the recession, with West Midlands, London and Northern Ireland saying that they have been affected the most. Over 50 per cent of SMEs in the latter regions have seen a drop in turnover.

The south-east, London and the north-west are most optimistic about a forthcoming upturn, with East Midlands, the north-east and Wales being the most pessimistic. Businesses in the north-east, London and Scotland believe they are most equipped to succeed now and in the future, with the East Midlands, the south-west and Yorks and Humber saying that that they are the least equipped.

53 per cent of respondents from the north-east, more than in any other region, say they have changed the way they work for the better due to the current economic climate, and more of them have increased turnover compared with other regions. The north-east was also at the top when it came to keeping training skills at the highest level for competitive advantage.

With regard to finance, the east of England had the lowest access to external finance, with only 17 per cent of its firms gaining finance in this way. The north-east had the top level of external finance gained, at 25 per cent of firms, mainly obtained via Government schemes, friends and family, rather than banks. The banks had been most helpful to businesses in the east of England and Wales.

In terms of business advice, there is little to choose between the regions, but London, Northern Ireland and the north-east are marginally keener on this type of business help.

More respondents from London and the north-east consider business-advancing technology to be vital. The south-west was the least keen on technology to help its businesses. London and Wales considered most that accessing faster broadband has had a positive impact on business. The Yorkshire and Humberside region was the most pessimistic about any technology contributing to its businesses. Web presence was considered most important to businesses in Northern Ireland. Londoners appreciated the value of social networking the most.