Quake-hit businesses remain closed eight weeks on

Westende Gemtime Jewellers in central Christchurch following last month's earthquake. The business is now trading in another location. Photo / Mark Mitchell

About 20 Christchurch businesses remain closed almost eight weeks after a devastating earthquake struck the Canterbury region, a survey has found.

The survey of 152 Christchurch businesses found while the majority of businesses in the city's central business district were now operational, several have not be able to open.

The Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC) Survey found 86.7 per cent of businesses that were red or yellow stickered following the earthquake, are now trading.

Of those who are not, most said they would open when they were given the all clear.

Thirty-five per cent said they would begin trading once they could access their building, and a similar number said they planned to open for business from another building.

The remaining 30 per cent of businesses surveyed said they were unsure what their plans were, but none said they were planning on closing for good.

CDC workforce strategy manager Simon Worthington said businesses indicated the payment of wages were still a major issue, with 37 per cent having used the government wage subsidy - up from five per cent when the quake package was first announced.

The results also showed a number of businesses would need to relocate, but needed financial help to do so.

"Our survey results show there are around 46 businesses that would benefit from some form of intervention, such as financial support to assist with relocation costs," he said.

Many businesses had experienced a major downturn or halt of cashflow and needed an injection of funds, whether a loan or grant, to help them get on their feet, he said.

A reduction in revenue for city centre businesses was a key finding of the survey.

"Cantabrians are urged to help these businesses by visiting and spending money in the CBD," Worthington said.