Partner Article

Businesses get help to weather storms

A project aiming to help the region’s businesses cope with the effects of severe weather is preparing for the colder months ahead.

The Climate Change Adaptation Project is run by Business in the Community, and builds on a pilot scheme from last year which encouraged North East businesses to reduce their vulnerability to the impact of changing weather conditions.

The project will target businesses in ‘priority areas’ such as sectors whose products, services or processes are weather dependant. Companies that have already been affected by extreme weather will also be targeted, including over 100 businesses in Morpeth were adversely affected by severe flooding in the town last year.

As well as offering businesses face-to-face advice, the project is aiming to develop an online risk checklist which will generate a detailed report and action plan, allowing business to take action to minimise potential risks.

BITC’s Project Manager, Gareth Williams, said: “All businesses, whatever their sector, location and size, are faced with direct and indirect impacts of climate change, as we have seen only too recently in Morpeth and Rothbury. Through this project, we hope to be able to help business avoid some of the risks, and remain in business in the longer term.”

Simon Allen, Business Support Manager at One North East, who are supporting the scheme, said: “In recent years incidents of flooding have increased in the region. Disrupting businesses, causing physical damage and a great deal of heartache to local communities. Anything that can help people avoid this trauma or cope in the aftermath of a natural disaster must be welcomed.”

For further information or advice, contact Project Manager Gareth Williams gareth.williams@bitc.org.uk 0191 294 6033.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .