State of the Region: Which sectors will shine in 2011?

WILL the technology sector shine? Will the North West commercial property sector recover? Tell us what you think in the TheBusinessDesk.com’s State of the Region Survey, in association with law firm DLA Piper.

The State of the Region Survey, gives you, the North West Business community, the chance to have your say on the major business and political issues of the last 12 months.

[FORM: 38]

In last year’s survey, respondents said they expected technology would be the business sector most likely to thrive, while better times for manufacturers were also foreseen.

Our readers also correctly predicted a tough time for firms supplying the public sector – a situation that is unlikely to be improved this year after the punishing cutbacks.

Despite continued challenges in the property sector this year, Anita Weightman, head of property at DLA Piper Manchester believes it’s not all doom and gloom.

She said: “The office and retail markets have obviously proved challenging but the leisure sector was resilient in 2010 and that pattern may well continue next year. 

“Investor confidence has stood up – I would imagine because consumers are still spending in bars, restaurants, bowling and in cinemas. Box offices receipts are actually at record levels because people regard a night at the cinema as good value. It’s an event where you can have a bit of everything – food, drink and entertainment.

“We were recently involved in the £450m sale of cinema operator Vue Entertainment to  private equity house Doughty Hanson. The level of interest from investors in the sale of Vue, which with 70 sites is the third largest cinema operator in the UK, demonstrates the confidence in this sector.

“Doubtless there will be further activity around the Olympics site – Vue itself recently announced that it’s to open another a 14 screen cinema in Westfield’s Stratford City, which will be the prestigious gateway to London’s Olympic park.”

The State of the Region survey aims to give a barometer of views on the past year’s significant economic and political changes and detail predictions of what the future may hold.

Your answers are important, and we have made the survey quick and simple – it will take you no more than three minutes to complete.

We will be running a series of stories on the survey results acrosss our three regions, and comparing the findings.

In addition, we’ll be identifying the important issues that matter to the region’s firms and then lobbying on their behalf for the changes they want to see happen, as well as comparing the results from this year’s survey to last year’s.

[FORM: 38]