A survey to find the key issues facing businesses in the county is being carried out by Sussex Enterprise.

The Voice Of Business questionnaire is being sent to 5,000 businesses.

The results will be published in the new year and will help Sussex Enterprise communicate with all levels of Government to improve policy areas which are hampering business growth.

As well as addressing issues common to all, the poll asks questions to businesses based in areas where there are specific concerns.

For instance, in Hastings and Rother the issue of commercial space for expansion is high on the agenda.

Parking is seen as a potential key concern for businesses in Eastbourne as it is in the centre of Brighton and Hove.

With the introduction of Fastway buses to Crawley, there has been a change in the level of congestion.

In Lewes, the problem of a repeat of the floods of October 2000 is never far from the minds of managers.

In Burgess Hill and East Grinstead, businesses will be asked if they have experienced any problems with travellers.

Those in Adur and Worthing will be asked about the state of business parks, while in Midhurst, the degree to which companies can link to broadband is highlighted.

Wednesday December 17, 2003