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Retailers Under Pressure as Weather Conditions Deteriorate
Listed under: News
Published: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
One in seven small businesses are suffering as a result of the heavy snowfall this year, with up to three in ten companies experiencing a significant fall in demand for their goods, and a further 11% forced to close their premises altogether, according to a new report from business support group, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
The research shows that despite 51% of small business owners saying they were adequately prepared for the poor weather conditions, unavoidable obstacles, such as staff absence due to transport disruption, meant at least 40% were affected by the snowfall.
The FSB is calling for a national civil contingencies conference, where councils, emergency services, schools and relevant Government representatives can discuss practical and cost-effective ways of helping small businesses better prepare for severe weather.
Addressing the huge impact the climate has had on retailers in the UK, the FPB's national chairman, John Wright, says, “Small businesses were particularly hard-hit during the heavy snow earlier this year as many staff were unable to make it into work because of snow-bound roads and closed schools, which meant parents had to stay at home and look after their children.
“Small firms have shown they are resilient and resourceful by offering flexible working hours, but we need to be better prepared, with more salt for the roads to prevent staff from missing days of work, and the country from coming to a standstill,” he adds.
“The local authorities have not learnt from last year's bad weather quickly enough, and we are calling for a national civil contingencies conference, bringing together all the relevant parties, to find ways of keeping Britain moving,” he concludes.
Retailer Beverley Marshall, who owns The Wool Cabin yarn store in Clacton-on Sea, agrees something needs to be done. “The weather has been an absolute nightmare this year, not just for us as a business, but for our customers as well,” she reveals. “Many of them are quite elderly and already find it difficult enough getting around by themselves, without the added complication of snow!
“Unfortunately, the local council have done very little to help and many of the roads here tend to be left covered in snow for ages, making it impossible for people to get around and ultimately discouraging consumers from visiting the high street,” she continues. “Of course, the severe travel disruptions also affect the delivery of our stock, and there is actually one rep who we haven't seen at all so far this year!”
She adds, “I would definitely like to see more done and I think it's time the Government and councils actually did something to help the independent businesses in this country.”
How has the weather impacted your business this year? Email your stories to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The research shows that despite 51% of small business owners saying they were adequately prepared for the poor weather conditions, unavoidable obstacles, such as staff absence due to transport disruption, meant at least 40% were affected by the snowfall.
The FSB is calling for a national civil contingencies conference, where councils, emergency services, schools and relevant Government representatives can discuss practical and cost-effective ways of helping small businesses better prepare for severe weather.
Addressing the huge impact the climate has had on retailers in the UK, the FPB's national chairman, John Wright, says, “Small businesses were particularly hard-hit during the heavy snow earlier this year as many staff were unable to make it into work because of snow-bound roads and closed schools, which meant parents had to stay at home and look after their children.
“Small firms have shown they are resilient and resourceful by offering flexible working hours, but we need to be better prepared, with more salt for the roads to prevent staff from missing days of work, and the country from coming to a standstill,” he adds.
“The local authorities have not learnt from last year's bad weather quickly enough, and we are calling for a national civil contingencies conference, bringing together all the relevant parties, to find ways of keeping Britain moving,” he concludes.
Retailer Beverley Marshall, who owns The Wool Cabin yarn store in Clacton-on Sea, agrees something needs to be done. “The weather has been an absolute nightmare this year, not just for us as a business, but for our customers as well,” she reveals. “Many of them are quite elderly and already find it difficult enough getting around by themselves, without the added complication of snow!
“Unfortunately, the local council have done very little to help and many of the roads here tend to be left covered in snow for ages, making it impossible for people to get around and ultimately discouraging consumers from visiting the high street,” she continues. “Of course, the severe travel disruptions also affect the delivery of our stock, and there is actually one rep who we haven't seen at all so far this year!”
She adds, “I would definitely like to see more done and I think it's time the Government and councils actually did something to help the independent businesses in this country.”
How has the weather impacted your business this year? Email your stories to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
