Local businesses are being encouraged to complete Ealing Council’s business survey about the impact of COVID-19 on their livelihoods. 

The survey is being undertaken in partnership with the council and Business Improvement Districts (BID) in the borough – Acton, Make It Ealing and InWest Ealing BIDs.

The responses from businesses will help the council and the three BIDs understand exactly how they have been impacted and ensure that resources and help are more effectively targeted in their recovery plans.

The survey is open to all business owners who operate within Ealing borough, including those who work from a business premises with a rateable value, the self-employed and freelancers. 

So far, the council has received 900 responses from businesses across the borough.

The survey results to date have found:

• 47% of businesses have temporarily closed, with only 1% operating as normal;
• 13% have already made redundancies and further 6.5% in the process of doing so;
• 42% are suffering significant supply chain disruption, with 24% not confident of managing as a result;
• 56% are very or extremely concerned that they won’t survive in the short term (less than 6 months);
• 50% are very or extremely concerned that they won’t survive in the longer term (more than 6 months); and
• 44% require immediate emergency assistance, evidenced by the fact that 40% of respondents were not eligible for any support in terms of rate relief or grant.

Councillor Jasbir Anand, cabinet member for business and community services, said: “I would like to thank those who have already responded to the survey. We really need to hear from businesses so that we know that our response to the crisis both now and afterwards is both targeted and effective.

“Over 50% of businesses that have responded have had to close, so we know the picture is a stark one.

“We also asked about the areas businesses would like to receive assistance and support and it’s no surprise that for most businesses that responded financial, cash flow and accountancy were top of the list of priorities.”

“More than 600 businesses have said they qualify for the government support which is good news and we hope that this financial assistance will go some way in helping to ease their financial concerns,” she said.

In recent weeks, the council has delivered a total £68.2 million in government financial aid to eligible businesses, which has been paid directly to them in the form of a grant. The council has been the quickest in London to get the vital support out to businesses. 

Business respond to calls for help

In addition to the business survey, an appeal was issued to local businesses, community groups and residents in March for vital PPE equipment and offers of support have been coming in. 

Councillor Anand said, “Alongside the dire circumstances that many businesses find themselves in, it was heart-warming for me to see that over 60% of the businesses that responded to the survey so far have indicated that they would be in a position to offer their support in so many ways.

“Thank you to the businesses which have supported the community with PPE donations and other offers of help.”

“Anyone can help out and support their neighbours and local community at this time so please visit our website Ealing Together to get involved.”

Business have until the 31 May to complete the COVID-19 Business Survey. To take part, businesses should visit: www.ealing.gov.uk/businesscovid19survey.