Bay Businesses Call for Regeneration, Stronger Support and Greater Promotion
The Bay Business Survey highlights a business community that remains optimistic about the area's potential while expressing clear concerns about its current challenges. Respondents rated customer access to businesses highly, with parking, transport links and visibility receiving the strongest average score (3.97 out of 5), and many businesses also reported growing confidence in their online presence. These findings suggest that many businesses are investing in themselves and are well positioned to grow if wider local conditions improve.
The survey also reveals several priorities that businesses believe require urgent attention. Support for the business community received the lowest overall score (2.45 out of 5), with many respondents feeling their voices are not being heard and that greater access to funding, collaboration and business support is needed. Awareness of The Bay among tourists also scored poorly (2.59 out of 5), while regeneration emerged as the strongest recurring theme in the open responses, with businesses consistently calling for investment in derelict buildings, the appearance of the town, tourism promotion and a stronger identity for The Bay as a destination. Together, these findings indicate that physical regeneration, destination marketing and improved business support should form the foundation of future investment priorities.
Key findings
Highest scoring area: Customer access to businesses achieved an average score of 3.97/5, with almost 70% of respondents rating it either 4 or 5.
Lowest scoring area: Business support received the weakest score at 2.45/5, highlighting a widespread desire for stronger representation, funding opportunities and collaboration.
Tourism awareness remains a challenge: Awareness of The Bay among tourists scored only 2.59/5, making destination promotion a significant opportunity.
Regeneration dominated the open responses: Improving the appearance of the area, tackling derelict buildings and creating a stronger visitor destination were the most frequently raised priorities.
Results of the bay business survey
1 = poor/low, 5 = excellent/high
Customer access to physical businesses - parking, pedestrian routes, visibility and signage, public transport links, roads,.
Average score: 3.97 / 5
Breakdown:
Score 1: 0 responses (0%)
Score 2: 4 responses (13.8%)
Score 3: 5 responses (17.2%)
Score 4: 8 responses (27.6%)
Score 5: 12 responses (41.4%)
Key takeaway:
This was the strongest scoring category overall, with nearly 70% scoring either 4 or 5.
How happy are you with your online presence, such as your website and social media channels? (1: Not happy at all/don’t do it - 5: No improvement needed)
Average score: 3.55 / 5
Breakdown:
Score 1: 3 responses (10.3%)
Score 2: 2 responses (6.9%)
Score 3: 9 responses (31.0%)
Score 4: 6 responses (20.7%)
Score 5: 9 responses (31.0%)
Key takeaway:
Most businesses feel reasonably confident online, although almost half still see room for improvement.
How well prepared do you feel regarding online advertising methods such as SEO, Online ad campaigns and use of new technologies such as AI?
(1: Not happy at all/don’t do it - 5: No improvement nee...
Average score: 3.38 / 5
Breakdown:
Score 1: 5 responses (17.2%)
Score 2: 3 responses (10.3%)
Score 3: 7 responses (24.1%)
Score 4: 4 responses (13.8%)
Score 5: 10 responses (34.5%)
Key takeaway:
Results are very mixed. A significant number of businesses feel highly confident, but over a quarter scored themselves at 1 or 2, suggesting demand for support and training.
How attractive and welcoming does the bay area feel to your customers
Average score: 2.83 / 5
Breakdown:
Score 1: 2 responses (6.9%)
Score 2: 9 responses (31.0%)
Score 3: 11 responses (37.9%)
Score 4: 6 responses (20.7%)
Score 5: 1 response (3.4%)
Key takeaway:
Perception of the wider area is fairly average, with concerns around presentation, environment and overall attractiveness.
How well known the Bay area and its businesses are to locals
Average score: 2.83 / 5
Breakdown:
Score 1: 3 responses (10.3%)
Score 2: 8 responses (27.6%)
Score 3: 11 responses (37.9%)
Score 4: 5 responses (17.2%)
Score 5: 2 responses (6.9%)
Key takeaway:
Businesses feel local awareness is moderate but not especially strong.
How well known the Bay area and its businesses are to tourists
Average score: 2.59 / 5
Breakdown:
Score 1: 3 responses (10.3%)
Score 2: 11 responses (37.9%)
Score 3: 11 responses (37.9%)
Score 4: 3 responses (10.3%)
Score 5: 1 response (3.4%)
Key takeaway:
Tourist awareness was one of the weakest areas in the survey, with very few businesses rating this highly.
How well supported do you feel the business community is (how well heard you feel your voice is, access to funding, opportunities to grow, information updates, unnecessary barriers to trade)
Average score: 2.45 / 5
Breakdown:
Score 1: 5 responses (17.2%)
Score 2: 12 responses (41.4%)
Score 3: 8 responses (27.6%)
Score 4: 2 responses (6.9%)
Score 5: 2 responses (6.9%)
Key takeaway:
This was the lowest scoring category overall. Many businesses currently feel under-supported or not fully heard.
The last 2 questions in the questionnaire were open ended.
If you could change or have three things to help your business in The Bay Area grow, what would they be?
and
If investment was available to The Bay Area, how do you believe this should be focused to enhance the area and better support businesses operating here?
These are the Key themes businesses said would help growth in The Bay:
Regeneration of Sandown and surrounding areas
This was by far the strongest and most repeated theme throughout the survey. Businesses repeatedly raised concerns around:
Derelict buildings and hotels
The condition of Sandown High Street
The Ocean Hotel and other empty sites
General appearance and pride in the area
Many respondents felt visible regeneration would have the biggest positive impact on confidence, tourism and investment.
Tourism and visitor attraction
A major number of businesses believe The Bay needs:
More reasons for visitors to come
Better attractions and experiences
Increased tourism marketing
More hotels and accommodation
Better seafront experiences
Several respondents specifically said the area needs a stronger long-term vision to attract people year-round.
Parking, transport and ferry costs
Transport-related concerns appeared consistently, including:
High ferry costs
Parking charges
Requests for free short-stay parking
Better public transport links
Better cycling and pedestrian access
Many businesses linked accessibility directly to reduced footfall.
Businesses also highlighted a desire for:
Better communication and representation
More networking and collaboration
Easier access to grants and funding
Reduced council barriers and planning restrictions
Co-working and business hub spaces
A number of respondents felt businesses are currently not fully heard or supported.
Needing increased promotion and visibility of The Bay
A recurring point was the need for:
Better collective marketing
Stronger identity for The Bay
More promotion to tourists and locals
Better signposting and awareness campaigns
Some respondents even stated they had lived locally for years without hearing the term “The Bay Area”.
Several businesses mentioned:
Business rates pressure
Competition from online retail
Need for incentives for independents
Encouraging local shopping
Practical support for start-ups
The survey shows businesses are passionate about the future of The Bay, but there is a clear feeling that regeneration, tourism investment and stronger business support now need to become priorities. The strongest recurring themes were improving the appearance of the area, tackling derelict sites, increasing tourism, improving accessibility and creating a stronger collective voice for local businesses.
