Let’s face it—UK weather is unpredictable at best and downright chaotic at worst! One minute it’s fine, the next you’re dealing with snow, ice, or torrential rain. For businesses, bad weather can cause major disruptions, from staff struggling to get to work to customers avoiding your premises altogether.
That’s why having a solid contingency plan is essential. As a gritting company, we know a thing or two about preparing for the worst, so here’s our friendly, practical guide to making sure your business stays open and safe—no matter what the weather throws at you.
Assess the risks of bad weather to your business
The first step in any contingency plan is identifying the risks. Ask yourself:
- How does bad weather impact your business? Will it stop deliveries, reduce footfall, or prevent staff from getting to work?
- Are your premises at risk? Slippery car parks, icy pavements, or blocked entrances can be dangerous for staff and customers.
- Which operations are critical? What parts of your business must keep running no matter what?
By understanding the risks, you can plan ahead and reduce the impact of bad weather.
Put preventative measures in place
You can’t control the weather, but you can control how prepared you are. Here’s what to do:
Keep your site safe
- Arrange for regular gritting and snow clearance for car parks, walkways, and entrances.
- Place grit bins in key areas so staff can quickly deal with icy spots.
- Use non-slip mats at entrances to stop wet shoes turning into a skating rink inside!
Ensure business continuity
- Have a work-from-home plan in place for staff who can do their jobs remotely.
- Set up a communication strategy to keep staff and customers informed about closures or delays.
- Work with suppliers to ensure alternative delivery options if roads become impassable.
Create an emergency bad weather response plan
If bad weather does hit, knowing what to do can make all the difference. Your plan should include:
- A decision-making process – Who decides when to close, reduce hours, or activate emergency measures?
- A communication plan – How will you inform staff and customers? Consider emails, texts, social media, or even an emergency phone tree.
- A contact list – Keep emergency numbers handy, including your gritting company (that’s us! 😉), suppliers, and key staff.
- Alternative working arrangements – If staff can’t get in, can they work from home? Can shifts be adjusted?
Work with a gritting partner (Like us!)
One of the easiest ways to stay prepared is to work with a professional gritting service. We monitor the weather for you and proactively grit your premises before ice and snow become a problem. That means:
- No last-minute panic
- Reduced risk of accidents
- Business as usual, even in bad weather
Test and review your plan
A contingency plan isn’t a one-and-done thing. Make sure to:
- Review it annually—especially before winter hits.
- Run a test scenario to see if your team knows what to do.
- Gather feedback from staff on what’s working and what’s not.
Bad weather doesn’t have to mean lost business. With the right plan in place—and a reliable gritting service on standby—you can keep things running smoothly while keeping everyone safe.
Need help staying winter-ready? Get in touch with us today and let’s keep your business moving, whatever the weather!
