Member Article

59% of small businesses do not have a ‘severe weather plan’

Almost 60% of small firms do not have plans in place for extreme weather, according to The Federation of Small Businesses.

The survey suggests that 66% of small businesses have been affected by snow, drought or floods in the last three years.

The report, which surveyed 1,199 federation members, also found 29% of small firms did not have insurance for loss of income or damage caused by flooding.

It found 59% of small businesses had “no resilience plans to combat extreme weather”.

The federation said damage caused by widespread flooding last year cost firms in affected areas an average of £1,531.

Of the businesses which said they had been affected by extreme weather, 46% said they experienced disruption to staff and customers, while 32% said suppliers, utilities or transport arrangements were disrupted.

Mike Cherry, the federation’s national policy chairman, said: “Last year was the wettest winter on record and 3,200 commercial properties were flooded in the UK.

“With such extreme weather events on the increase, small businesses need all the help they can get to make sure they can stay open whatever the weather.”

“Firms need to be reassured that affordable flood insurance will be available in the future,”

The federation advised firms to check Environment Agency guidance on preparing for flooding.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .