OWNERS of micro and small business across the north have been urged to complete the 2023 NI Enterprise Barometer which elicits views which could help influence the future of their operations.

Supported by the British Business Bank and open until October 16, the barometer enables Enterprise NI – which represents the north’s 27 local enterprise agencies – to capture vital data about the challenges and opportunities faced by micro and small business owners.

Now in its fifth year, the survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and can be found online at www.enterpriseni.com.

Every respondent will be entered into a draw to win £250 worth of business support vouchers, and the 2023 findings will be announced at an event in the Dunadry Hotel, Antrim, on November 23.

Last year saw nearly 700 responses from businesses across all economic sectors in the north.

Enterprise NI chief executive Michael McQuillan said: “The findings of the barometer provide the strongest, most unified voice for micro and small businesses in Northern Ireland.

“Every survey completed strengthens Enterprise NI’s ability to drive home the need for adequate funding for micro and small businesses and to directly influence the development of tailored strategies and support services that address their specific needs.

“Self-employed, micro, and small businesses collectively form the biggest part of our economy. That’s why we and our sponsors the British Business Bank are urging every single entrepreneur, self-employed start-up, and micro and small business owner to grab themselves a cup of coffee, invest less than 10 minutes to complete this survey, and ensure their views, needs, and concerns are heard.”

Economist Maureen O’Reilly, who will dissect the responses, said: “Now more than ever the concerns of small and micro business owners here must be heard, particularly in relation to the dangerous mix of challenges that include the significant escalation in costs and managing cash flow, trying to get and keep staff and the lack of an Executive.

“By completing the survey, business owners will be providing us with strong and insightful data that enables Enterprise NI and its network of 27 LEAs to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities they face, and the agility to deliver the on the ground supports they need.”