Ensure your business keeps moving during London 2012

From August, multisite companies employing more than 200 people, such as retail outlets, restaurant chains and financial institutions, can receive bespoke advice to help them devise and implement travel action plans for their organisations during the summer of 2012.
Each session will help firms manage the impact of the Games on staff and business operations and optimise deliveries, servicing and freight during Games time. This new programme, which is seeking to work with at least 100 multisite companies, mirrors the support already available to organisations that employ more than 200 people at a single location.
 
Also from next month, and until summer next year, more than 50 free workshops will be rolled out across the country.  These will be for firms with less than 200 employees that are based in areas set to be most impacted by the London 2012 Games.
The drop-in sessions will help small and medium sized enterprises prepare for any travel disruption that may affect their business, and will cover topics such as how local roads will be managed, optimising deliveries and offering flexible working during Games time.
 
In addition, a new online planning tool has been developed which helps businesses of all sizes think about the key issues that will affect them during the Games. The tool asks a series of questions about staff and business travel, customers, visitors, suppliers and deliveries.
After answering the questions, the travel planning tool provides companies with suggested actions and the considerations they will need to take into account. 
 
Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL, said: “TfL and all partners are fully focused on delivering what will undoubtedly be a fantastic London 2012 Games and legacy for the Capital and UK and ensuring businesses are ready to make the most of all the opportunities on offer.  Millions of additional trips are expected in the Capital during the summer of 2012, and the transport network will be severely affected. TfL is working with London 2012 to offer a range of free travel advice to businesses of all types and sizes, to ensure their staff, customers and suppliers can get around and that they can make and receive important deliveries during the Games.
 
“Our new free travel advice programmes greatly enhance the support available for companies set to be affected by the London 2012 Games, whether they are a large restaurant chain or a local corner shop. I’d like to urge all businesses to take advantage of the tools that are available to them now, so that they can plan ahead and make the most of the London 2012 Games.”
 
David Waterman from I. Waterman (Box Makers) Ltd, a company formed in 1897 that is based in east London and employs 16 staff, said:  “These workshops are just what small businesses like mine are after. Face-to-face sessions like these are the best way to get instant answers to questions and work through any issues to ensure our business is ready for the Games. Doing nothing is not an option – businesses need to understand what the ramifications of the 2012 Games will be, and the sooner companies plan the better.”
Businesses of all sizes wanting to sign up for the free workshops and one-to-one sessions simply need to email keeponrunning@london2012.com or visit www.london2012.com/traveladviceforbusiness for more information and advice.