LIVERPOOL is becoming a better place to do business, an independent survey of the city’s businesses has claimed.
The third Foundations for Growth report, produced by market research agency GfK NOP, produced a business satisfaction rating of 6.9 out of 10, up from 6.6 last year.
Companies in both the city centre and the rest of the city reported higher satisfaction levels.
The report said this figure, along with an increase in the number of businesses rating Liverpool as an excellent or good place to do business year on year, shows that “economic recovery clearly remains on a positive trajectory”.
The 850 businesses surveyed were asked for their views on the importance and quality of eight areas, including skills, premises, safety, cleanliness and levels of support.
Mike Taylor, director of investment and enterprise at Liverpool Vision, which commissioned the report, was pleased with the its conclusions.
He said: “Overall, the results from our tracking survey are positive and suggest businesses are optimistic about the future.
“We have been told once again that Liverpool provides a good business environment and a place where businesses can prosper now, and after the recession, and it is part of our job to help them achieve this.”
The quality of commercial premises and safety in the city were again identified as key concerns, having been highlighted in last year’s report, while transport and accessibility has also been identified as an area that requires attention.
A Liverpool Vision statement responding to the key findings states: “Crime levels in Liverpool have decreased overall by 40% since 2005/06, with significant reductions in key measures such as theft, stolen vehicles and injury from violence.
“The city is one of the safest in the country. However, perceptions lag behind the actuality, and safety continues to be a key issue for local business.
“Efforts to continue the real reductions in crime and real improvements in safety should be maintained, as well as improving perceptions.”
The research was carried out in December and January – before data showed the UK was officially in recession – and found that just 30% of businesses agree strongly that they know how to handle themselves in the current economic climate.
One in six firms admitted in the survey to being not very or not at all robust.
