Businesses do not expect Olympics disruption

MORE than two-thirds of large companies do not expect the London 2012 Olympics to affect their ability to do business, according to research by the accountancy firm Deloitte.

Even in London 60% said the games, which will cover a six-week period, will have minimal impact on their business. 

Some 24% of companies in the capital expect a “medium level” of disruption with just 16% planning for a “high level” of impact during the Games.

Around a quarter of large businesses have appointed an individual or group to manage the potential risks to their business and assess the opportunities on offer as a result of the games.
 
Rebecca Birkbeck, director at Deloitte in the North West, said: “It’s a good start that, with just under two years to go, 25% of the businesses we surveyed are already thinking about the impact and the opportunities of London 2012. These companies stand to be best placed to benefit from the business boost the Games can deliver.
 
“However, an event of this scale, with sites across London and throughout the country, will present some serious challenges to those companies who operate in and around venues for the games if they fail to understand and plan ahead. This makes some of our findings really surprising.”
 
Around 70% of retailers expect virtually no impact on their business, while more than half of businesses in the tourism, hospitality and leisure industries feel the same.