The Federation of Small Businesses is the UK’s largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has around 200,000 members nationally, 5,000 of those in Greater Manchester and north Cheshire.
Simon Edmondson, FSB Regional Chairman, writes…
ALREADY WINTER has thrown some fairly unpleasant weather our way: damaging winds, non-stop rain in December, and some pretty heavy snow of late.
It makes this month’s column all the more pertinent because new research from the Federation has found very few small business are geared to cope when freak weather does strike.
Three out of five (59 per cent) of the small business questioned admitted not having a plan in place to deal with extreme weather conditions despite two thirds admitting to have been negatively impacted by flooding, drought or snow over the last three years.
Last year was the wettest winter on record and nationally 3,200 commercial properties were flooded.
With such extreme weather events on the increase small business need all the help they can get to make sure they can stay open whatever the weather.
The FSB remains concerned that small businesses will not be included in the Government’s ‘Flood Re’ agreement, designed to limit insurance costs for those at most risk of flooding.
Firms need to be reassured that affordable flood insurance will be available in the future. Currently three in 10 (29 per cent) do not have the right cover in place.
The Environment Agency has produced advice for businesses on how to make a flood plan and we want to make sure businesses are getting all the information, finance and support they need to deal with extreme weather.
Damage caused by last year’s floods cost firms in affected areas an average of £1,531. By protecting against such disruption, small firms can continue operating and avoid financial difficulties.
With the potential for further bad weather this winter – and who knows what the Greater Manchester weather will bring this summer – the FSB is calling for more businesses to put an extreme weather plan in place.
Examples of extreme weather plans and comprehensive guide to putting one in place can be found from the Environment Agency website.
Frankly, small businesses need to get better prepared for extreme weather and have some sort of a disaster recovery plan in place.
However, we know that despite wind, water or fire, many small businesses do manage to stay open and continue to serve their customers.
When disasters hit we would encourage people to continue to support their local businesses, many of which stay open whatever the weather.
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