East Midlands’ SMEs to have their say in flagship The Future of the High Street survey
Small businesses in the East Midlands are being invited to have their say on the future of the high street, by taking part in a UK-wide survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) on issues such as business rate relief, public transport and parking, access to cash and street cleaning.
The findings will be analysed, and recommendations then submitted to national, regional and local government to help the region’s high streets to flourish into the future. The survey will run from 13 July to the 27 July and can be found here.
FSB development manager, Natalie Gasson-McKinley MBE, said: “I encourage all small businesses in the East Midlands to spare a few minutes to take part in the FSB Future of the High Street survey. High streets are essential for small businesses, providing a platform for commerce and a sense of community pride, as well as opportunities for social interaction, events, and cultural activities. Sustainable high streets are key to a flourishing region and the surrounding areas. The more responses we get from businesses across the East Midlands, the better their specific views can underpin recommendations.”
The public highly values small businesses on the high street, according to recent research by FSB and Public First; a majority of respondents said that small businesses were more important than large businesses for the following categories: Keeping traditional craft and skills alive (78%), pride in local communities (76%), providing unique services and products (72%), and growing the local economy (57%).
Previous policy research by FSB has been central to understanding small business experience and perceptions of high streets and the policies impacting them. An FSB policy report Streets Ahead (March 2020) highlighted small business experiences of the high street before the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey found that at least 33% per cent of businesses in East Midlands were operated on or next to their local high street, representing a significant
and important section of the region’s small business sector.
