It looks like good news is in store for Manchester’s economy with the approaching results of the British Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly survey.
The survey receives 8,000 responses nationwide making it the biggest and most authoritative economic survey of its kind in the UK.
Greater Manchester businesses, who are usually one of the study’s greatest contributors, are being urged to take part as it will provide more accurate indicators of local growth.
Christian Spence, Head of Business Intelligence at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “There are a number of key indicators that we extract from the QES results which help us track how Greater Manchester businesses are faring.
“Collectively, these indicators are known as the ‘Manchester Index’, which, last quarter accurately predicted the rate of economic growth.”
The Manchester Index is not only an early gage of trends in the local economy, but also matches what the UK economy is doing as a whole.
This means GMCC can help its members plan for the future and help inform their business decisions.
And according to Mr Spence, the future looks hopeful.
He said: “Recent results continue to show that the recovery is firmly embedded in Greater Manchester and businesses expect to continue to seek new staff over the coming months.
“Our members do tell us, however, that finding the right staff is difficult and accessing the right labour is one of the higher risks to businesses over the coming months.”
The results from this quarter’s survey will be delivered at the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Breakfast on 26 September.
For more information and to book a place visit www.gmchamber.co.uk/events
Image courtesy of Tom Blackwell, via Flickr, with thanks
