Methodology
A quantitative online survey was launched on 10 October 2022 and was open for four weeks. The survey was promoted through a letter to businesses in the Port Solent area to maximise consultation engagement and subsequent response rate.
- 7 businesses took part in the consultation covering a range of industries from restaurants, bars and cafés to retail and sales and lettings
- Most businesses in the area open at 8am and begin to close at 5pm although some stay open until 2am
- The busiest times on weekdays are between 9am and 3pm, whereas at weekends businesses are busy all day (9am – 6pm)
- Current bus services are seen as an issue for businesses for both their employees and customers – the main factor being the lack of services to and from Port Solent
- Appeal for the demand responsive bus service is high; over half of businesses feel the service should be ‘definitely offered’
- Most businesses think their customers would use the service and so would their employees
- Businesses would promote the service on their premises such as by displaying a poster in the store window or leaflets
- Businesses would also advertise the service when recruiting staff, through social media and through word of mouth
Due to the small base of respondents, this report is indicative of opinion but does not represent the total population of businesses in the Port Solent area.
