According to Deloitte, over half of small and medium businesses expect no disruption to their operations from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.
Entrepreneurship UK surveyed owners of private businesses, of which 80% generate revenues of £50m or less, and found that 59% of respondents across the country believed the Games will have no impact on their business as usual operations. Even in London the figure was only marginally lower at 55%.
Transport is the biggest concern with 14% of small and medium sized enterprises in London citing it as an issue ahead of next summer. Staff unavailability was the next highest worry with 8% of respondents from London concerned.
Rick Cudworth, head of the Business Continuity & Resilience team at Deloitte, said: “The level of awareness of the impact of London 2012 among small businesses appears to be low. With less than a year to go to the Games, the clock is ticking and planning needs to start now. For small businesses, supplies, transport, travel, and staff availability will be critical considerations.
“There will be three million additional journeys on the busiest days of the Games, whilst transport and logistics restrictions will be in place throughout the Games period, which extends for several weeks.
“In our research with larger companies we have seen the levels of understanding about the potential impact of the Games significantly increase in the past 12 months. 95% of larger companies will assess the impact the Games could have on their operations. One point larger companies will need to consider is how well prepared the smaller businesses they rely on for supplies are for the Games as the indications at present suggest there is work to be done.”
The research also discovered that the vast majority of small and medium sized businesses do not feel that London 2012 will lead to an increase in demand for their products or services. 74% of companies across the country believe the Games will have a neutral impact on sales, whilst this figure was 72% in London.
However, just under a quarter (24%) of small and medium sized businesses in London do believe the Games will provide a revenue boost with just 4% fearing a negative effect.
Tony Cohen, Head of Entrepreneurial Business at Deloitte, said: “We know from Sydney, Beijing and Vancouver that businesses tend to underestimate the sheer breadth and scale of the impact of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and this survey suggests it could happen again in London – despite the huge opportunity. Companies large and small should be planning now to take advantage of increased demand and new customers.”
Source : Deloitte
