Response rates to the consultations have been consistently around 35%. The companies who have responded represent at least 50% of employees on the estate, and range from micro companies employing less than 5 people to some of the largest employers on the estate.
The first consultation, 'Options for Change', identified the following key priorities from businesses:
1. Continuing the activities of the Winsford 1-5 Group (86% of respondents considered this to be a top priority or preferred),
2. Improvements to security, (83% of respondents considered this to be a top priority or preferred),
3. Image enhancement, (75% of respondents considered this to be a top priority or preferred),
4. Inter-trading, (69% of respondents considered this to be a top priority or preferred),
5. Local recruitment and access to jobs (61% of respondents considered this to be a top priority or preferred).
The Options for Change consultation exercise also included a consultation with employees. This exercise attracted over 500 suggestions for improvements. The most requested improvements from employees were:
1. Lorry Parking (81 suggestions for improvement)
2. Landscaping enhancements (46 suggestions for improvement)
3. Road changes (41 suggestions)
These priorities were used as direction in the development of a draft business plan. The draft business plan was then sent out for consultation in July/August 2005.
