Winter weather warning

 

A not-for-profit business support group has said small firms should start planning now for harsh winter weather to avoid being caught out by sudden cold snaps as seen during the previous two years.

The Forum of Private Business has made the warning with forecasters predicting an end to the unseasonably mild conditions across the UK towards the end of November.  

The Forum said SMEs can be particularly vulnerable to the impact of freak weather and should start planning ahead by checking their premises are winter-proof, insurance is up to date, and contingency plans are well-thought-out in case staff can’t get in to work.

The past two winters have seen Arctic weather cause havoc for British businesses due to the disruption, and, according to early long range forecasts, December is likely to start with severe frosts with the chance of snow for many areas closer to Christmas.

“Disruptive snowfall hampers deliveries, triggers heating and power failures, and can sometimes mean employees can’t get to work,” said the Forum’s head of campaigns, Jane Bennett.

“The past few winters have demonstrated just how susceptible the UK is to extreme weather, and the cost to business quickly runs into millions. When infrastructure grinds to a halt staff can’t get in to work, and that’s a body blow which hits small firms with fewer staff the hardest.

“It’s essential small businesses do all they can themselves to mitigate the impact, and being proactive now will mean not having to rush out a last minute reactive plan on the eve of bad weather, which may not be all that effective.”

According to data from YouGov’s Omnibus SME survey, 13% of small businesses said they were ‘seriously’ impacted by last winter’s bad weather, and 37% said they experienced weather-related problems of some sort.

 

 

---