Brixton Business survey results
Written by Future Brixton
December 30, 2014
Categories: Town Centre
In November 2014, Ecorys, a research and survey company, contacted over 600 Brixton business owners to help us better understand the local economy and how it is changing. We wanted to hear about the potential impact of regeneration programmes and wider changes taking place.
Ecorys interviewed 249 businesses and here is an early snapshot of the findings.
Overall, business owners have a positive outlook, with two thirds of business owners rating Brixton as a good or very good place to do business.
61% of business owners think the area has improved over the last 3 years. Brixton’s lively and diverse community, lots of regular customers and a rise in new/younger customers, its location close to amenities and central London are all cited as what is particularly good about doing business in Brixton. There is also a strong affinity to the area with 50% of business owners selling goods and services to customers also based in Brixton.
Business confidence is also strong, with 60% of business owners planning to grow their business.
There is also a strong desire to support the local economy by supporting local recruitment with nearly two-thirds of businesses in Brixton making an effort to recruit local residents. In addition, 35% of business owners are planning to recruit staff in the next twelve months.
86% of business owners said they would be very likely or likely to be trading in Brixton in 3 years time. Reasons for wanting to stay include, being well established in the area with lots of regular customers, along with the town centre being a great place to do business and the area’s growth potential.
Awareness of the Brixton Business Improvement District (BID) was good, with 69% of business owners aware of its existence. In terms of its offer to businesses, including reduced rates on recycling, free staff training at Lambeth College and advertising with the Brixton Bugle, its profile was mixed with awareness of its support packages varying between 39% – 18%.
Businesses aware of the Brixton BID were also asked which types of initiatives they would like to see the BID implementing. The majority of businesses in Brixton (52%) would like to see the BID implementing street cleaning; this was closely followed by 47% of business who want the BID to help businesses save money and 46% who wanted the BID to implement training and support for businesses.
Improving businesses’ online presence, their use of technology, finance and investment readiness, visual merchandising , marketing and branding, along with advice on tax and compliance were the type of support businesses were aware of and would consider using in the future.
However, trading in Brixton is not without its challenges. Parking, market competition, costs, rising rent/property prices, crime and government regulation were highlighted as challenges faced by a number of businesses.
Whilst 58% of businesses reported turnover had increased/stayed the same in comparison to 12 months ago, 17% of businesses had reported a decreased. Of the businesses reporting a decrease, 30% were from Black and Asian backgrounds compared to 12% from White backgrounds.
The final detailed survey will be made available in January 2015.
We will use this information to work with the Brixton BID and local businesses to maximize the positive impacts of change, but also help address the negative impacts on certain businesses. We will also use survey findings to develop support programmes/assistance to help businesses and increase engagement in shaping future plans for Brixton.