Earlier this year we asked local businesses their views on “doing business” in and around Alton, 53 business owners responded, the results are listed below.
Q1 Where is your business based?
| Alton Town Centre | 51.92% |
| An Alton Industrial Estate | 17.31% |
| A nearby village/community | 13.46% |
| Other | 17.31% |
Q2 How does your business trade?
| Business To Business | 33.33% |
| Business to Consumer | 66.67% |
Q3 Overall how would you rate Alton as a place to do business?
| Excellent | 1.89% |
| Good | 43.40% |
| Reasonable | 32.08% |
| Poor | 13.21% |
| Other | 9.43% |
Under “Other” business owners commented:
Once very good. people no longer attracted into the town.
We are unable to generate much business locally with other businesses.
No internet.
Q4 How would you rate Alton’s public transport?
| Excellent | 3.85% |
| Good | 26.92% |
| Reasonable | 36.54% |
| Poor | 21.15% |
| Other | 11.54% |
Under “Other” business owners commented:
Not so good when the train service is suspended until further notice.
Very poor outside of the main town area.
Bus service is limited. Trains are good.
Q5 How would you rate your broadband service?
| Excellent | 7.55% |
| Good | 47.17% |
| Reasonable | 33.96% |
| Poor | 7.55% |
| Other | 3.77% |
Under “Other” business owners commented:
No FTTC available and unlikely to ever be available to us.
Q6 How would you rate Alton’s trunk roads?
| Excellent | 3.77% |
| Good | 50.94% |
| Reasonable | 32.08% |
| Poor | 13.21% |
| Other | 0% |
Q7 From a business perspective do you support further housing development in Alton?
| Yes | 60.38% |
| No | 18.87% |
| No opinion | 20.75% |
Q8 How easy do you find it to recruit new staff ?
| Very easy | 4.76% |
| Easy | 42.86% |
| Quite difficult | 40.48% |
| Other | 11.90% |
Q9 What is your level of business optimism for 2016?
| Very optimistic | 13.46% |
| Quite optimistic | 55.77% |
| Not very optimistic | 28.85% |
| Not at all optimistic | 1.92% |
When asked “What could Alton Chamber do to help your business” the responses received included:
- There are too few 2000 to 5000 sq ft industrial units available for sale in Alton.
- Lobby to make the cost of parking more affordable and to do away with Sunday charges.
- Networking events, engagement with local larger businesses.
- Reduced business rates? More bus service late.
- Help to create a more vibrant – enthusiastic business community, there is a distinct lethargy throughout all aspects of Alton.
- Lobby the council to “market” Alton more effectively.
- Promote the town more – Alresford have a watercress festival, and its absolutely packed! we need something similar!!
- Support local and get consumers to use local businesses. When events are on business is good but the high street is filling up with chains and it is a sad affair!
- Campaign for free parking in all car parks for 2 hours. This may keep people in town, as opposed to out of town developments. Encourage planners to be sympathetic about business signage. Promote Chamber members as much as possible through advertising, promotions, local endorsement etc.
- Drive up the image Go look at Whitely village to see what the competition looks like.
- Make sure our transport links stay as good and encourage all locals to use local business where possible.
