The first survey in 2021 (Reports 1-3) focused on aspects of business resilience and adaptation to both internal and external threats.
It turned a particular spotlight on the impacts of Covid-19 on rural businesses and farms in comparison to urban enterprises (providing the first accurate account of these impacts, as the economy looked to recover), as well as looking at infrastructure provision in rural areas, which emerged as a key concern for the levelling up agenda.
Overall, Covid impacted rural enterprise slightly less severely than urban businesses, although hospitality and leisure sectors were equally and significantly challenged, regardless of location.