BUSINESSES in Sidmouth and across Devon are being urged to complete a survey being carried out for Devon Renaissance, the regeneration partnership for Devon.

BUSINESSES in Sidmouth and across Devon are being urged to complete a survey being carried out for Devon Renaissance, the regeneration partnership for Devon.

More than 1,000 survey forms have already been completed, but Liz Abell, Devon Renaissance programme co-ordinator, wants as many businesses as possible to complete the survey to give an accurate picture about how they are faring.

She said: "We have already had an excellent response but the more firms that give us information the better."

By resending the form this week she hopes more firms will share their views on what help they need to ensure they are successful.

Devon Renaissance is part-funded by Devon County Council and East Devon District Council along with South West Regional Development Agency and other Devon councils.

It provides grant funding and works with projects to help create prosperity and jobs and improve access to services in rural areas and has funding of £7 million over three years, estimated to be worth £25 million to the Devon economy with match funding.

Information from previous surveys has 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.

Liz added: "All Devon's rural local authorities are working together on the survey, so we save both time and money by carrying out one consistent survey that can be shared.