Small businesses preparing for Olympics

Small businesses are gearing up for a busy summer with preparations for the Olympic Games well underway.

The Games are expected to provide a boost to the British economy but there will also be significant levels of disruption around London in particular, which will be a major risk for small businesses that are caught out.

Fortunately, it looks like companies are taking precautions with many making plans to allow their employees to work from home. In fact, John Lewis reported a 14 per cent rise in sales in office furniture this year in comparison to the same period in 2011, suggesting that even small companies and employees themselves are getting onboard.

Sally Hudson from the retailer told the PA: “We've seen more and more of our customers getting their homes ready for home-working - either for the Olympics, or longer term.

"Despite the advent of laptop computers and Wi-Fi, most of us still require a designated work station in order to work from home productively."

Demand for office furniture was found to be highest in the South East, with London and the commuter belt identified as the main purchasing regions.

Meanwhile, Michael Spinks, managing director of Hackney-based food distributor Essex Flour & Grain Co, has launched a petition to demand freedom of access to business premises located near the Olympic Park in East London to ensure that small firms are able to maintain their trade during the Games.