Business owners are being urged to draw up contingency plans and to double-check their insurance as hundreds of firms count the cost of the blaze at the Buncefield oil depot in Hemel Hempstead.
More than 400 companies in the Maylands industrail estate near Buncefield were prevented from entering their premises as the fire, which broke out early on Sunday morning, raged for days.
Tim Hutchings, chief executive of Hertfordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “We estimate that the damage and the loss of business will be between £500 million and £1 billion.”
Asos, an online fashion retailer, suffered damage to its warehouse which held stock worth £5.5 million, while Scottish & Newcastle, Britain’s biggest brewer, said that there would be disruption of supply to wholesalers and off-licences as one of its distribution centres was affected by the explosion.
See full Article.
Also see Cable & Wireless Press Release, "Research reveals UK companies are ill-prepared for disruption or disaster":
Cable & Wireless and the Institute of Directors urge better protection for businesses and staff
Nearly two-thirds (62%) of mid-sized UK businesses make no provision for staff to work from home in the event of disruption or disaster, while less than a third (29%) have updated their business continuity plans since 7 July. These are the findings of new research commissioned by Cable & Wireless.
See full Press Release.
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