1,500 businesses invited to shape the economic priorities of the South Midlands

11 May 2026

More than 1,500 businesses will be invited to help shape the region’s future economic priorities, as the South Midlands Authorities launch the 8th edition of the South Midlands Business Survey. 

The Business Survey will capture vital insight from firms of all sizes to understand their economic challenges, growth barriers, skills needs, and support requirements, to drive economic growth.

As one of the UK’s most economically significant regions, the South Midlands contributes over £50 billion to the UK economy each year. For over a decade, the Business Survey has played a crucial role in shaping regional priorities and informing the design and delivery of business support. The influential Growth Curve programme, funded by the European Regional Development Fund, delivered university-led training, one-to-one support and access to funding to over 300 organisations, and was directly developed based on feedback collected in the 2021 survey.

This survey is a valuable opportunity for businesses across North Northamptonshire and the South Midlands area to help shape our economic growth and future planning priorities.

By listening to employers of all sizes in our area, we can better understand the challenges they face and ensure our plans for growth are sustainable, well-informed and support thriving local businesses, jobs and investment.Councillor Jan O’Hara, Executive Member for Planning and Economic Growth at North Northamptonshire Council.

The long-term nature of this survey is important for observing trends in how the local economy has changed over time. As a region, economic output has grown by over 10% in the past decade, and the information derived from previous Business Surveys has played a key role in driving this growth.

The South Midlands Business Survey will help to determine regional economic development priorities and enable the South Midlands Authorities to undertake activities that drive economic growth and the creation of jobs in our region.Cllr Jim Weir, Deputy Mayor of Bedford Borough Council and South Midlands Authorities Co-Chair.

Public Perspectives Ltd, an independent market research provider, will conduct the survey. 

• It will be conducted from May 2026 to July 2026, contacting a representative sample of businesses across the region.