South Tyneside LEGI

ERS was commissioned to design and conduct a survey of businesses located in South Tyneside in order to monitor and target the needs of local employers and inform the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI). The report was based on an analysis of the results of a quantitative telephone survey of over 800 businesses located in the borough conducted by Experian Business Strategies’ Market Research Team, qualitative in-depth interviews with a small selection of businesses and consultation with a larger selection of businesses which had enquired, yet decided against locating in the borough.

The study provided a robust analysis of business perceptions including

• Perceptions and opinions about South Tyneside as a place to be in business and do business;

• Opinions about business support needs;

• Opinions about their own business, growth, optimism and their business future; and

• What matters to businesses in South Tyneside and looking to locate in South Tyneside?

South Tyneside’s ‘Spirit of Enterprise’ bid was successful in the first round and secured £16.2m of confirmed funding. Activities were planned on the basis of producing results across three key outcomes:

• Increasing the number of business start-ups and survivals, and people who are self employed;

• Supporting our businesses to grow and be more productive; and

• Attracting mobile entrepreneurs to invest in South Tyneside.

ERS Contact: jbuttrick@ers.org.uk