Survival instinct is top of the agenda

Firms from across the county attended a free business continuity workshop at Putteridge Bury Conference Centre, in Luton.

The free workshop was organised by Business Link and the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum to help local companies prepare for disasters such as flood, fires and terrorism.

It’s basically about having back up plans to ensure firms can continue to make money if disruption occurs.

Iain Berry, Central Bedfordshire Council’s chief emergency planner said: “Effective planning before an emergency can mean the difference between surviving or thriving.

“This event helped businesses look at what they can do to prepare for emergencies but without spending lots of money.”

Businessman David Bignell from CC Training in Leighton Buzzard, attended the event and said: “As a result of the session I now know where to find free business continuity tools, what to plan for and how to plan.

“Following the workshop we are putting contingency measures in place in case there is a fire or flood.

“Attending this free workshop showed us that you don’t have to spend lots of time and money to put an emergency plan in place.

“It hasn’t taken very long at all and hopefully taking a little bit of time out now will mean our business will survive, should the worst happen.”

> For more information about business continuity and planning for emergencies visit http://www.whatwouldyoudoif.co.uk/ or follow BLLRF on Twitter @what_would and Facebook www.facebook.com/whatwouldyoudoif

l Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum is urging residents and businesses to prepare for winter by placing early orders for heating oil and avoiding the kind of disruptions faced by many following last winter’s prolonged cold weather.

BLLRF is promoting the buy oil early campaign on its Twitter and Facebook.com/whatwouldyoudoif page and has also launched a media campaign.