The Thames Gateway Regeneration Project - Thomson Snell and ...

Research resultsBusiness issuesIssues facing your organisation?Whilst the range of responses to this question wasunderstandably varied some key common issues emerged. Inorder of the most frequent responses the top ten issues are:GFHEIJDCABA Recruitment issues – particularly thelack of skilled workersB Competition – split evenly betweenUK and overseasC Regulation – keeping up withnumerous laws and regulationsD Expansion – premises, planning,recruitment etcE Planning – both general business andmarketing planningF Service improvementG EconomyH Keeping existing clientsI Creating new businessJ Business mergers and takeoversWhilst some of these might be seen as constraints, what theyindicate is that with suitable action – such as workforcedevelopment at a regional level and business support to assistwith managing planning, expansion and compliance – there is awill and significant potential for growth within the area. There isclearly a need for more business support advice provided by thepublic and private sectors.“The three main issues facing my business are 1) finding newbusiness, 2) retaining existing business (it is very competitive),3) bureaucracy – employment law and health & safety”Commercial servicesThere were many comments relating to the increased overheadfrom Government intervention and bureaucracy in areas asdiverse as minimum wages, emission regulations, environmentalcontrols and health & safety regulations. In terms of land andproperty, there was frequent mention of areas of outstandingbeauty, green belt assignment and planning restrictions constrainingdevelopment and expansion. This suggests that either specialprovisions need to be made within the regeneration area or thatadditional advice and support should be provided to helpThames Gateway businesses cope with these issues.“1) Planning – the length of time taken to processapplications 2) Inland Revenue red tape and 3) the lack ofqualified personnel” Construction/property development“Labour costs, legislation (especially employment) andbusiness rates” ManufacturingSeveral respondents mentioned a lack of public and privatefunding which suggests a greater demand for investment. Thiscan either be encouraged by the development agencies orprovided by local private equity providers. There were alsoseveral mentions of mergers and acquisitions leading to marketconsolidation and the impact that this will have on smallerbusinesses and customers. This would suggest that the localbusiness support agencies and advisers tailor their services to theneeds of the smaller organisations.“For our business, the issues are; acquisition of furthersuitable sites; climate controls and protecting our local climate;local factors such as unemployment, local economy etc”Leisure“TUPE issues. Staff recruitment. Information and the need toknow what is likely to happen in the future”Property management“Demonstrating that we are providing a good service andimproving performance/quality and efficiency (getting bestvalue from our resources)” Housing“Corporate takeover and market strategy. Operations in nicheindustries such as cars, fresh fruit and steel exports – stabilityof these sectors is crucial for us” TransportThere were a few mentions of the changing nature of the areawith concerns that further provision for housing and greaterenvironmental controls combined with increased competition willlead to a further reduction in the little remaining manufacturingwithin the area.Issues facing your sector?Considering the variety of sectors represented in the study, wewere surprised to find a high degree of consistency in the issuesmentioned. In order of the most frequent responses the top tenissues are:GFEHIDJCABA Skills shortageB Legislation and regulationC CompetitionD EconomyE Financial managementF Government supportG Strategy and planningH Land/property resourcesI Social change/attitudesJ Market uncertainty4