Wexford Enterprise Centre (WEC) Tenants’ Survey

An anonymous survey was conducted at the close of 2020 to gain insight into the opinions of our Resident Companies regarding the general running of WEC, as well as our management of Covid-19 and its effects on their businesses. Answers below are cumulative figures.

It is estimated that the Companies operating out of Wexford Enterprise Centre contribute €10 million to the local community per annum.

WEC General

1. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, how would you rate WEC as a business location? 4.7 average
2. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, how would you rate the overall general managing and operations of WEC? 4.9 average
3. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, how would you rate the amenities within WEC? (For example: reception, common areas, meeting rooms, café, toilet facilities) 4.8 average
4. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, how would you rate the quality of the cabled broadband within WEC? 4.6 average

Response to and the management of the Covid-19 Crisis by WEC

5. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, how would you rate the WEC Covid-19 Business Continuity Plan? 5 average
6. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, how would you rate the dissemination of important information by WEC to tenant companies in response to the Covid crisis? 5 average
7. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, how would you rate the level of support offered by WEC management during the Covid crisis? 4.9 average
8. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, how would you rate the physical safety modifications made within WEC in response to the Covid crisis? (For example: wall-mounted mirrors, signage, designated exit, café revamp, additional sanitation points) 5 average
9. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, how would you rate the safety precautions implemented by WEC in response to the Covid crisis? (For example: Access control and personal temperature checks, restricting access to non-tenants) 5 average
10. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, how would you rate the Government’s response and support to the business community in relation to the Covid crisis? 4.3 average
11. How confident are you that your business will survive the Covid crisis? 96%

General Business Outlook

12. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being very unlikely and 5 being very likely, do you anticipate your business to grow in 2021? 3.5 average
13. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being very unlikely and 5 being the very likely, do you anticipate increasing your work force in 2021? 2.6 average
14. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, rate the importance of online marketing and online sales to your business in Jan 2019 (Pre-Covid). 2.7 average
15. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, rate the importance of online marketing and online sales to your business as of Dec 2020 (During Covid). 3.1 average
16. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being least important and 5 being most important, rate in order of importance the following social media platforms to the delivery of your business goals?

Facebook 3.2
Twitter 2.4
LinkedIn 2.5
Instagram 3.6
YouTube 3.5

17. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, how relevant will access to affordable capital/loans be for your business in 2021? 2.9 average
18. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, rate the importance of continued Government support beyond the 1st Quarter of 2021 to your business? 3.7 average
19. How would you rate the support the support available to your businesses from State bodies (i.e., Enterprise Ireland, Wexford LEO, Wexford Local Development, Wexford Co. Council) 86% approval rating
20. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being less challenging and 5 being very challenging, rate in order of importance what you believe will be your greatest business challenge in 2021?

Covid 3.1
Brexit 2.6
Clients 3.2
Staff 3.1
Capital 2.9

21. Rate in order of importance the following future business support programmes that WEC are considering implementing on behalf of the tenants to tackle the impacts of the Covid crisis?

Triage 2.9
ProTeam 2.9
Workshops 3.2
Health 2.9
Linkage 2.9

22. Have you accessed or do you intend to access TWSS, EWSS or CRSS Government support? 56% Yes / 44% No
23. If yes, which ones? Choose all that apply – TWSS, EWSS, CRSS 100% TWSS / 62.5% EWSS / 12.5% CRSS
24. Have you had to temporarily lay-off staff during the pandemic? Yes – 47% / No – 53%
25. If so, how many employees have you had to temporarily lay-off? 44 employees
26. As far as  you know, have your employees availed of the PUP while they were laid-off. YES/NO 46.67% YES / 53.33% NO

Additional comments from the Resident Companies.

“It has been a difficult period as regards services for clients and have had to look at developing other parts of the industry to promote online products and services.”

“Premises Rates support needed in 2021.”

“Shellfish aquaculture businesses have had their markets implode due to Covid pandemic and it will take years to work through the damage that it has cost.”

“It’s an important time for companies to work together to ‘box above their weight’ in the national and international markets. Wexford has great opportunity to offer alternative location to incoming international companies, but requires investment for large scale utility provisions to possible industrial areas BEFORE interested companies look at the sites, as offering the services on the basis it will be provided if they sign up to the area creates unrealistic risks and schedule delays, resulting in international companies not considering investment in County Wexford. It’s time for the council and partnered companies to interact for real investment in Co. Wexford for future growth.”

“I would like to commend Mr. Brendan Ennis – CEO at WEC and his entire team, for the handling of this entire crisis. From the off-set, Brendan put in place every single H&S measure possible, ahead of any other business and premises which I visited. He locked the centre down to external visitors, put temperature checks in place ahead of any other business I had visited, had strict and regular cleaning regimes in places, mirrors across the entire building, to ensure physical distancing measures were adhered to. He spoke with each and every business in terms of a survival plan and in which way, he could assist us and ensure we remained with him at the WEC. He reduced rents, froze rents, rates etc. all of which has allowed my business to remain open and operational. An office presence is very important for my line of work and with Brendan’s support and flexibility, I am pleased to say that we are still happy tenants with WEC and look forward to remaining here. It is a wonderful place to be work and has all of the necessary facilities and amenities required to create the right impression to clients and all visitors to my business. I cannot commend Brendan and his team enough for such robust/committed/dedicated/compassionate/supportive handling of this entire crisis since March 2020. Many thanks.”

“Wexford Enterprise Centre has continued to provide excellent support to our business during the Covid-19 pandemic. The continually evolving measures and plans to eradicate the spread of Covid-19 in our workplace has been exceptional ensuring a safe environment for all.”

“We are very satisfied with the management of WEC and its continuity through the pandemic.”