London firms tackle Olympics commotion

Disruption time: Businesses in London are pre-empting the strain

Ahead of the Olympic and Paralympics Games, which are set to run through August and September, some 59 per cent of London's businesses are aiming to reduce deliveries.

Findings from Transport for London (TfL) and London 2012 reveals that 37 per cent of the 1,000 businesses surveyed are planning to stock up on non-perishable items in advance to make it through the event.

The Living Room restaurant is one London site which is ordering an extra 35 per cent of non-perishable goods to combat potential shortfalls.

Some 22 per cent are considering postponing non-essential deliveries, while 22 per cent plan to set up temporary stock rooms.

Neighbourly collaboration has also come up as a trend which is set to help London-based businesses during the Olympics. The survey shows that 8 per cent are working with local companies to ensure they are adequately prepared.

Vegetarian restaurant Tibits, which is located in the West End in London, is combining deliveries with 'a number' of neighbouring businesses. Alongside Ice Bar, the two companies are sharing space, ordering and will be storing non-perishable goods in cellars and stock rooms.

Edmund Farrow, general manager at Tibits, says the restaurant has been planning for six months.

He adds, 'During that time, we've kept a diary of deliveries and collections we received which has given us a clearer picture on how to plan for this summer.

'By sharing deliveries of goods, such as wine, beer, fresh fruit and vegetables, we can reduce our deliveries and potential disruption.'

Ben Plowden, director of planning at TfL Surface Transport, comments, 'During the Games, London will become a massive sporting and cultural venue, which means public transport and roads in central London and around venues will be exceptionally busy.

'Freight accounts for 25 per cent of traffic in central London, so it's encouraging to see that so many businesses are considering steps to reduce deliveries.'

More on the Olympics:

• GrowthBusiness speaks to businesses looking to prosper from the Games
• UK businesses ready for the upheaval