Stockport business community invited to contribute to local economic survey

Companies in Stockport and from across Greater Manchester are being invited to share their experience of the current economic situation facing business as part of a quarterly survey conducted by the city-region’s Chamber of Commerce.

The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) has run its Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for over 30 years, collecting the experience of how businesses across the city-region are weathering changing economic conditions.

With high inflation, challenges from Brexit, Covid recovery and other international events putting the UK economy through its paces, GMCC is calling for more businesses than ever to take part and ensure the survey gives the clearest possible picture of how the region’s businesses are faring, and to help inform future predictions and trends on the horizon for Greater Manchester.

Chris Fletcher, Policy Director at GMCC, explained:

“The Quarterly Economic Survey is an unrivalled source of economic data stretching back to 1989. Greater Manchester’s economy has seen many changes over that time and weathered several recessions. Today, we face a unique set of circumstances as businesses not only deal with soaring energy costs and the aftereffects of the Covid pandemic, but also find their way in the post-Brexit world and cope with long-standing issues such as skills shortages.

“We need a wide range of responses to this latest QES so we can get an accurate picture of how all parts of our economy are performing. We’re calling on all Greater Manchester businesses, Chamber members and non-members alike, to take part in this survey and make their voices heard. The results of the QES not only give local businesses an overview of the economy but are also used by national bodies including the Treasury and the Bank of England, so taking part in the survey has national impact.”

The results of the previous Quarterly Economic Survey, published in December 2022, saw marginal improvements in the regional economy, but also concern and uncertainty as high energy prices and squeezed consumer spending looked to continue.

Businesses can take part in the current Quarterly Economic Survey online here.