The North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB) are asking you to help them plan a kick-start to the economy.
Right now, there is a survey online that focuses on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and how it has affected business and industry in the region. NWEAB want to use the results to get a full picture of the situation and to help them plan ways to spark and support a revival once lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Results will also feed into the long-term Growth Vision and long-term strategy to improve infrastructure, create jobs, and generate investment when companies need it most.
Programme Director of the North Wales Growth Deal, Alwen Williams, is encouraging people in all sectors to take the survey and make a difference for those businesses affected by Coronavirus, and future generations.
Representatives working on behalf of the local authorities will also be picking up the phone to owners and managers to capture their responses and use them to shape proposals and priorities.
Alwen said: “The evidence gathered will be pivotal in helping us to fully understand the most pressing issues facing all sectors in North Wales, and the best ways to move forward.
“Then we will know where we are, what the priority areas are, what needs to be done, and how we can help these companies to navigate their way through this.
“There are many challenges and the first we need to overcome is finding out exactly what we are up against, which areas are in the most urgent need of support – hospitality and tourism, for example – and what can realistically be achieved in the short term to generate renewed optimism.”
The Programme Office will be looking to discover the effect across different counties and sectors, the size of businesses and with what force they were hit by the Covid-19 crisis.
There will also be examples of best practice and positive outcomes as some firms were able to adapt to the situation and use their machinery and technology to manufacture Personal Protective Equipment, hand sanitiser or medical products.
However, the picture has been largely bleak, with firms encountering a wide range of issues, namely loss of revenue and staff, reduced productivity and sales, a disruption to the health and wellbeing of employees and temporary closure.
Alwen added: “This isn’t a box ticking exercise, the information and insight from businesses will form the understanding we have and help to shape the way forward. We would welcome the opportunity to maintain communication with those surveyed so we can see if progress is being made, and if not, how we can build momentum.
“We urge people to please take part, have your say and provide as much information as possible so we have a detailed report on what happens next. Every person who answers the questions will have played their part in helping to get the region back on its feet.”
Cllr Mark Pritchard, Lead Member for Finance, Performance, Health and Safety and Governance, said: “It is really important that as many people as possible fill in this survey to help build a true picture of the situation and the real ways in which businesses can be helped to get back on their feet and thrive.
“We at the NWEAB will work tirelessly to make sure we are in touch with as many businesses as possible, so that the plans we put together reflect what is needed and, going forwards, we can pull together to support and grow the region’s economy”.
To fill out the survey, please visit https://arolwg.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/index.php/547464?lang=cy (Welsh) or https://arolwg.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/index.php/547464?lang=en (English).
How to get a test if you’ve got Coronavirus Symptoms.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test”] APPLY NOW [/button]
