Pictured above: Penny Meigh, Research Director at Step Beyond

A new survey today gave hope for thousands of Staffordshire residents hit hard by the recession.

Three in every four Staffordshire bosses expect to see turnover increase over the next couple of years and a third are looking to hire new staff according to wide reaching research by survey specialists Step Beyond.

The snapshot of attitudes among Staffordshire employers provides a ray of hope for a county which has suffered badly during the global downturn with a 154 per cent increase in Job Seekers' Allowance claimants (see notes to editors).

Step Beyond, based in Stone, surveyed more than 100 managers throughout the County.

The research revealed:

• Three out of four companies expect turnover to increase in the next two years

• One in three expect to take on more staff this year

• One in two businesses have found trading conditions tough in the past two years - but one in five have actually enjoyed favourable market conditions and the remainder say it hasn't been 'too bad'

• Over half of Staffordshire businesses are confident that their market sector is starting to recover

Penny Meigh, Research Director at Step Beyond, said: "The survey shows that managers are looking to a brighter future and perhaps finally signals the end of the recession. Businesses are however looking for more government support in giving them tax breaks and reducing National Insurance, while also wanting the deficit to be cut significantly. The forthcoming budget will therefore be critical.

"The survey has also revealed that the great majority of companies see marketing as being fundamental to their performance to help them identify new opportunities, win new customers and retain existing ones" 

Step Beyond conducted telephone interviews with a wide cross section of company executives in over 100 businesses spread across the whole of Staffordshire.

Industry sectors included manufacturing and engineering, leisure and tourism, ceramics, building and construction, retail, catering and chemicals.

The findings have been welcomed by Stuart Walton, President of the Stafford Chamber of Commerce.

"There is no doubt that Staffordshire has been hit hard by the global economic crisis," said Mr Walton.

"But the county is fighting back thanks to good leadership from executives in companies of all shapes and sizes.

"Many people have suffered and companies such as Wedgwood have been lost but the economy is diversifying and we are starting to witness new growth." said Mr Walton."

Jen Widgery, Manager of the Stafford Chamber also said "The research that Step Beyond have done corresponds with the positive outlook I have found when talking to businesses. I think with the coalition government's plans to focus on business and enterprise as a way of bringing us out of the recession, local prospects look very encouraging. We need to keep momentum going by ensuring banks and government services engage with businesses to ensure growth continues"