Somerset Estate Agent Scoops Prize In Online Business Survey
Central Somerset estate agent Paul Knight is the latest winner of a case of wine in accountant Old Mill Financial Services’ online survey.
The Somerset-based accountant runs its six-monthly online survey to gauge how local businesses are reacting to some of the topical issues of the day. Client Paul Knight filled in the survey, and won a case of wine for his efforts. “I am delighted – it is a long time since I won anything – although I have presented plenty of prizes to clients in competitions I have run,” he says.
Paul has run his business in Street for about five years, and before Christmas took over the long established agent Chamberlaine Brothers and Edwards in Shepton Mallet.
Old Mill’s online survey revealed two particular areas of concern for businesses in the region – red tape and flexible working. Along with many other respondents, Paul found red tape to be a particularly time-consuming problem. “The red tape around health and safety is a real hassle,” he says. “It takes a disproportionate amount of time – especially as estate agency is a reasonably low risk business.”
The survey revealed that almost 80% of West Country businesses believe the impact of red tape will increase over the next year, despite government promises to the contrary.
It also discovered that more than 40% of respondents find it very difficult to meet government-backed requests by employees for flexible working arrangements. Although flexible working can extend considerable benefits to businesses, including better staff morale and greater efficiencies, it can cause problems for small businesses like Paul’s.
“I like the idea and indeed sometimes work from home myself,” he says. “But with small sales teams who have to be able to cover the work requirements, extending workers’ right to flexible working is a potential problem for us.”
Old Mill’s next survey will be online at www.oldmillgroup.co.uk from the end of January. All respondents will be entered in a prize draw for a case of wine.
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Notes to editors
For more information contact
Alan Stone - Marketing Manager
Tel: 01749 335007
E-mail: alan.stone@oldmillgroup.co.uk
About Old Mill Accountants and Financial Advisers
Old Mill accountants and financial advisers employ 160 staff in three West Country offices. The rural services teams are headed by Partners Mike Butler (Yeovil) and Ian Sharpe (Shepton Mallet). Looking after nearly 1,000 farmers they are one of the leading specialist farm accountants, and are happy to help with any financial and tax-related enquiries from the media.