The survey, which is delivered in partnership with Prime Accountants Group and measures sentiment among businesses, is analysed by the Business Intelligence Service at Warwickshire County Council.
From the responses of businesses across the services and manufacturing sectors, it gives scores out of 100 where anything above 50 indicates growth and anything below 50 is negative.
It looks at a range of aspects of doing business in the region, including the outlook for employment, investment, confidence, and current and future orderbooks for both domestic and overseas sales.
Domestic sales in the service sector and in manufacturing both remain above the crucial 50-point mark but were, however, slightly less than three months ago. Overseas sales did, however, improve on the last survey although the service sector remains in negative territory.
Employment prospects jumped to a score of 67.7 in the service sector and the 72.7 in manufacturing indicating that there is still a strong desire to recruit among businesses across the patch.
Confidence fell slightly in the service sector but was still well above 50 at 62.7 and it rose in manufacturing to 56.3.
It resulted in overall economic outlook of 57.0, up from 56.3 in the final quarter of 2024.
Corin Crane, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said the findings showed the resilience of the region but believes there is still a huge amount of uncertainty in the economy.
He said: “The businesses of Coventry and Warwickshire never cease to amaze me.
“The last few years have been shrouded in so much uncertainty and, yet, they still – in the main – have a positive outlook and are always looking for opportunities to grow.
“This survey was conducted at a point when we were waiting to hear what tariffs would be coming from the USA. We’ve since had the announcement and then several follow-up amendments to the original tariffs.
“Some businesses across our region are directly and severely affected, for others it will have a secondary effect. However, it has continued with the uncertain picture and our message to Government is to do everything it can to ease the burden on businesses and provide a stable foundation from which they can grow.”
Steve Harcourt, director of Prime Accountants Group and president of the Chamber, said: “Firms are having to factor in rising NI contributions as well as other costs of doing business and, yet, the general feeling across Coventry and Warwickshire is that companies are still looking to grow.
“But, with so much uncertainty around and an everchanging picture, the sentiment can change pretty quickly so it’s vitally important that companies ask for support where they need it.”
Pictured: Steve Harcourt with Corin Crane
Summary of 2025 Q1
Economic Outlook
Overall, 57.0, up from 56.3
Service Sector 57.0, up from 56.6
Manufacturing Sector 56.9, up from 54.6
Domestic Sales
Service Sector 56.4, down from 57.3
Manufacturing Sector 53.4, down from 60.3
Overseas Sales
Service Sector 44.5, up from 43.5
Manufacturing Sector 50.0, up from 46.2
Employment
Service Sector 67.7, up from 58.6
Manufacturing Sector 72.7, up from 59.2
Investment & Cashflow
Service Sector 48.8, down from 51.2
Manufacturing Sector 51.1, down from 54.7
Business Confidence
Service Sector 62.7, down from 65.6
Manufacturing Sector 56.3, up from 51.3
