Extreme weather is disrupting 49% of UK businesses

By DOMINIC JEFF
Published on 18/03/2013 00:00

EXTREME weather is increasingly hampering firms with almost half of all businesses reporting disruption due to inclement conditions compared to just 15 per cent a decade ago.

A survey by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) found that 49 per cent of British businesses reported problems caused by stormy weather and snow.

Bad weather was the top cause of disruption to businesses over the last 12 months, and 77 per cent of organisations were affected to a certain extent by this winter’s cold snap.

Some three in five organisations suffered financially as a result, with managers estimating the average cost to their organisation in excess of £52,000.

CMI chief executive Ann Francke said too many businesses are allowing an occurrence as commonplace as snow to hit them hard.

“Even this January, a business as big as Domino’s Pizza was forced to close two thirds of stores,” she said. “The results are clear – your business will cope better and recover faster if you plan ahead. Managers that don’t are left counting the cost in lost business, damage to customer trust and reputation.”

The CMI said 90 per cent of companies with plans were ready for this year’s snowfall, compared to two thirds (68 per cent) of those without.

Francke said: “With the recent snow alone costing organisations an average of over £52,000, those that do prepare have a competitive advantage and when it comes to building their customers’ trust.”