New figures show that six in 10 small firms believe the London 2012 Games will not have a positive impact on their business in the long term despite David Cameron saying that the UK is “on track” for a lasting legacy. As the UK marks 200 days until the start of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the FSB’s „Voice of Small Business‟ Survey Panel shows that 62 per cent of small firms believe that the Games will have no long term positive impact on their business, despite promises that the legacy of the London 2012 Games will have impact in all corners of the UK and will continue for years. Only seven per cent of small businesses believe the Games will benefit their business overall, and a quarter (25%) expect a negative impact on their business.
The FSB is concerned that when the bid for the London 2012 Games went through, it was sold on the basis that these would not merely be London’s games‟, but would create a long legacy for all regions of the country. Yet clearly small businesses do not believe that they will benefit from this. With 200 days to go, the FSB is calling on the Government and Olympics Authorities to ensure that small firms are aware of how they can reap the benefits of the Games and the tourism benefits that can come from them.
The phenomenal cost being borne by the taxpayer demands that everything must be done to secure benefits for businesses nationally. Gordon Millward, the FSB’s Regional Chairman, said: “It is worrying that 200 days before the Olympic and Paralympic Games are set to begin, small businesses think it will not benefit their business. This is even more worrying considering the London 2012 Games was sold on the basis of its legacy, and so far we‟ve seen precious little benefit coming to firms in the north. We all know times are tough, but 2012 is a year of big events that small firms should be able to benefit from. The Government and Olympic Authorities must help show small businesses how they can reap the rewards from one of the biggest sporting and tourism events the country has seen for years.”
(source www.fsb.org.uk)