FPB recommends putting business continuity plans in place, as forecasters predict another harsh, snow-filled winter in the coming months.
Positive Weather Solutions has announced that this winter is likely to see similarly icy temperatures to last year and more of the 'disruptive snowfall', which caused heating and power failures, affected deliveries and left many employees unable to get into work.

Three quarters of UK employees were affected by the snow last winter, with more than a quarter failing to get in to work at all.

As a result, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) is urging smaller companies to prepare for any potential adverse weather now by putting in place business continuity plans.

Spokesman Phil McCabe said; "I think it's fair to say that last winter's extreme weather conditions caught out many small business owners. A lot of small firms struggled to continue trading as employees failed to make it into work, deliveries were cancelled and freezing temperatures caused heating equipment to fail, leaving their premises unusable."

According to a YouGov poll, 58% of senior decision-makers at small businesses said their companies suffered as a result of the snow last winter, despite 78% believing their firms were sufficiently prepared.

"We estimated that last winter's snowfalls were costing smaller businesses across the UK around £230m each day at one point. Obviously, in the current climate, small firms can ill afford a similar expenditure this year so we're urging business owners to think about their contingency plans now to ensure they aren't put out of action."