BUSINESSES of any size within the national park are being urged to complete the Rural Enterprise Exmoor survey by the end of the year.

The business survey has been commissioned to inform project partners, including local councils and the park authority, of the opportunities and challenges faced by those running a business of any size on Exmoor.

“The project is seeking to cast a light on economic activity in the National Park which is often hidden in official statistics due to the small-scale size and nature of our businesses” said Dan James, the national park authority’s sustainable economy manager. 

“To date we’ve identified almost 1,200 businesses based within the national park through the survey, a 50 per cent increase on official stats, but we are keen to ensure all businesses are accounted for – however small or large.”

Over 100 people gathered for the launch of the Rural Enterprise Exmoor project in October.

Dan said: “Every business operating across Exmoor can now give us their own views on what’s working, what needs improving and what opportunities they think there are to grow the local economy in harmony with our special status as a national park.

“Each response received will help the project partners to better understand the role they can play to help sustain the Exmoor economy into the future.”

The initial survey takes no more than five minutes to complete online. This first stage aims to capture headline information on the sector and levels of business activity happening in the area.

Participants then have the option of providing further information on challenges and opportunities by completing further online questions, or requesting a phone interview. Everyone completing the full survey will be eligible for a free prize draw with a chance to win an Exmoor hamper.

Further details and the survey links are available on the Exmoor National Park website’s rural enterprise link or via Facebook or Twitter @RuralEntExmoor.

Rural Enterprise Exmoor is supported and funded by the Exmoor National Park Authority, Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, West Somerset Opportunity Area, Somerset County Council, Somerset West and Taunton Council and North Devon Council.