West Suffolk Employment Land Review Survey GVA Grimley has been commissioned to undertake a study into economic development potential, and employment land and premises requirements across the three local authorities in West Suffolk. The review will inform future planning policies which will be set out within each authority’s Local Development Framework. This business survey asks your thoughts about the area as a place to do business, your premises, and other issues such as skills and future plans. It is looking at needs for up to 20 years ahead and so should not be influenced by current market conditions. Your views are important so that we can make sure that businesses across the County are supported and that their needs are met. This is your chance to have your say and influence planning policy, so please do help if you can. It will take approximately 3 minutes to complete and any information you give to us will be presented in a summary report and will not be attributable to any individual or company. If you have any questions about the study in general or the survey specifically, please contact me by phone on 0207 911 2127 or by e-mail at michael.dall@gvagrimley.co.uk.  Alternatively, contact Rachel Collins at Suffolk County Council on 01473 264284 or rachel.collins@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk Please click 'Next' to continue.

Q1 Which category best describes the primary activity of the business?   --Click Here-- AGRICULTURE & FISHING AIR TRANSPORT BUSINESS SERVICES - COMPUTER RELATED BUSINESS SERVICES - LABOUR RECRUITMENT, SECURITY AND CLEANING BUSINESS SERVICES - OTHER INCLUDING CALL CENTRES BUSINESS SERVICES - OTHER TRADEABLE BUSINESS SERVICES - REAL ESTATE AND RENTING BUSINESS SERVICES - RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TECHNICAL TESTING COMMUNICATIONS CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION EXTRACTION FINANCE HEALTH HOTELS AND CATERING LAND AND OTHER TRANSPORT MANUFACTURING - CHEMICALS AND PROCESS INDUSTRIES MANUFACTURING - FOOD, DRINK AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURING - METALS AND ENGINEERING MANUFACTURING - OTHER AND RECYCLING MANUFACTURING - OTHER LOW TECH PUBLIC ADMIN RETAILING UTILITIES WATER TRANSPORT WHOLESALE, DISTRIBUTION AND SALE AND MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES - MISCELLANEOUS OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES - WASTE SERVICES

Q2 Where is your business located?   in Forest Heath District in Mid-Suffolk District in St Edmundsbury Borough in another part of Suffolk

Q3 Is this business part of a larger group of companies?   Yes No

Q4 Is the group HQ located Q2?   Yes No

Q5 Where is the group HQ located?   Elsewhere in the UK International

Q6 For how long has the business had a base in Q2?   1 -2 years 2 -5 years 5 - 10 years 10 years +

Q7 Why did you choose to trade from the site/premises you currently occupy? Please tick all that apply.   Bought existing business on the site Convenient location Affordable location Considered good value Amount of passing trade Available services close to site Subsidies available Good parking Close to suppliers Close to customers Good access links to rest of Suffolk Good access links to motorway / major roads

Q8 How many employees does the company currently have based....   Q2   Elsewhere in Suffolk   Elsewhere in the UK   Internationally

Q9 Approximately what percentage of staff are...   Professional/Management   Skilled Staff   Semi-Skilled Staff   Administrative / Clerical Staff   Unskilled Staff

Q10 Compared to this time last year are the number of people on your payroll is...   Significantly up Significantly down About the same

Q11 What have been the major issues facing the business over the last two or three years? Please tick all that apply.   Availability of suitable premises Price of Premises Requirement for better transport links Need to be nearer customers/suppliers Difficulty recruiting/retraining staff Relocate to a nicer area Other

Please Specify Other

Q12 And what do you see as being the major issues facing the business over the next two to three years, in addition to the economic downturn? Please tick all that apply.   Availability of suitable premises Price of Premises Requirement for better transport links Need to be nearer customers/suppliers Difficulty recruiting/retraining staff Relocate to a nicer area Other

Please Specify Other

Q13 How important is the quality of premises to the operation of your business?   Wholly unimportant Unimportant It makes no difference Important Very Important

Q14 Is the availability of appropriate sites / premises a major issue for the future success of the business?   Yes No

Q15 In five years time do you think the business will have grown or declined?   Grown a lot Grown a little Stayed the same Declined a little Will not be trading

Q16 In which areas does the business plan to invest in over the next five years? Please tick all that apply.   Premises Land Plant and Machinery IT Employment Market Research Research and Development Other

Please Specify Other

Q17 Do the current premises suit the businessess needs?   Yes No

Q18 In five years time where do you think the business will be trading from?   From this site From a site close by From a site elsewhere Q2 From a site elsewhere in the UK Will not be trading

Q19 Are you actively looking for a new site or sites?   Yes No, but will be in the future No

Q20 If you moved to a new location, would you be looking for premises that are? Please tick all that apply.   Larger Smaller About the same size Have specialist facilities / design Have specialist services close by In an Industrial Park In an Office Park More modern Have better access Allowed greater flexibility Cheaper Better value for money More expensive

Q21 Where would be your preferred location?   Q2 Other

Q22 Please specify where

Q23 Please specify where

Q24 Why would this be your preferred location?

Q25 How much of an impact would such a move have on your business?   Significantly positive Slightly positive Neither positive nor negative Slightly negative Significantly negative

We'd now like to know a little more about you. Please remember that you answers will remain confidential and we will not attribute specific comments to individuals or companies. Q26 Company name Q27 Your name Q28 Your position Q29 Address including postcode Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Please click 'Submit' to finish