News

Business Support Survey 2026 Update

16 June 2026

The 2026 Business Survey had 27% more responses than the 2025 survey. A wider range of businesses participated, including more hospitality, construction, and manufacturing businesses.

This is particularly related to increasing costs and uncertainty. Many businesses are changing how they make day to day decisions and plan for the next year. Businesses are focusing more on managing cash flow and being careful about how they spend their time and money.

The top three challenges are:
  • Managing money

    Costs are rising, so it is harder to make a profit

  • Dealing with change

    Changing economic conditions and government policy are making it harder to plan

  • Getting and keeping customers

    Businesses are trying to attract and keep customers in a tough market

Next steps

These results will help to guide the support the City offers to local businesses. The City's Economic Growth team are building a program to help local employers navigate these challenges.