What Local Businesses Are Telling Us: New Survey Insights to inform the Future Ambitions Board

Earlier this year, a survey was issued to businesses across Bath & North East Somerset to inform the work of the Resilient Business Group and strengthen understanding of the factors affecting local business resilience and growth. A total of 118 businesses responded, the majority of which were established enterprises operating across a range of sectors.

When asked what “resilience” means to them, businesses most commonly cited financial stability, strong networks and partnerships, and diversification of income streams. Very few respondents identified themselves as either highly confident or in acute difficulty. Instead, most positioned themselves somewhere between these two extremes —the ‘fragile middle’, reflecting businesses managing ongoing pressures while facing limited capacity to plan ahead. Almost half of respondents reported that they are currently operating reactively rather than proactively.

The survey highlighted rising costs, economic uncertainty, and a number of place-based challenges as key barriers to growth. These included staff recruitment, access to suitable premises, business rates and transport policies. Pre-start businesses and inward investors reported a particularly strong demand for practical business support and tailored advice.

In terms of growth enablers, respondents identified the value of strong and purposeful business networks, hands-on support, and improved access to finance.

· Financial sustainability, concerns around rising costs, limited headroom for investment and the ability to plan rather than react

· Demand sensitivity, reduced disposable income, lower footfall and vulnerability in some sectors

· Policy and operating environment pressures, including cumulative policy impacts, transport and regulatory challenges, and uncertainty over future policy direction

· Artificial intelligence as a transitional tool, with concerns about potential displacement alongside a clear appetite to adopt AI productively, practical guidance is necessary

The Resilient Business Group is a voluntary group of business support organisations and local businesses, established to bring partners together around practical, evidence-led action that supports businesses to start, remain, grow sustainably and thrive across Bath & North East Somerset. The Group is chaired by Sue Marchant (Cool Ventures).

Informed by business feedback, including insights gathered through the survey, the Group works to identify gaps in provision, join up existing activity and prioritise the challenges facing the local business community. It plays a key role in guiding and supporting delivery of the Resilient Business Pillar within the Bath & North East Somerset Economic Strategy, ensuring that local business support is grounded in real business experience and local need.