MORE than 17,000 businesses across rural Devon are being asked how they operate and about their business plans and barriers to success.Devon Renaissance, the regeneration partnership organisation for rural Devon, is launching its third survey of Devon bu

MORE than 17,000 businesses across rural Devon are being asked how they operate and about their business plans and barriers to success.

Devon Renaissance, the regeneration partnership organisation for rural Devon, is launching its third survey of Devon businesses.

Previous surveys have revealed that a typical rural Devon business has fewer than 10 employees, has difficulty in recruiting skilled staff, and would like more financial advice and help with developing new products and services.

Liz Abell, programme co-ordinator for Devon Renaissance, said: "The previous surveys have been accessed on our website more than 9,000 times, and have been critical in directing funding towards the types of activity that businesses need.

"All of the recent Community Led Development bids in Devon used information from the business survey to back up and focus their activity, and they were successful in bringing almost £10 million of new funding to the county."

The information has also been used to develop projects around the county, providing more than 6,000 free or subsidised training places; free or subsidised business advice to more than 3,000 businesses; and creating job opportunities for more than 300 people.

Businesses are urged to complete and return the questionnaires as soon as possible.

A full report on the survey will be available next year and all participants can be sent detailed survey results.