London 2012 survey gives businesses a voice

Businesses across London are being encouraged to take part in a study to understand the commercial impact of the Olympic Games. The Olympic Business Impact and Legacy Study 2015 is being carried out by Anglia Ruskin University, in collaboration with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

 

“Legacy” was one of the main reasons for London being awarded the Olympics, and this study will examine who have been the financial winners and losers across the capital.

The survey covers a range of topics including Olympic tourism, support received from local councils, and how businesses attempted to seize Games-related opportunities, right through to the effects on commercial performance and competitiveness post-Games.

Michael Duignan, of Anglia Ruskin University’s Lord Ashcroft International Business School, said: “I’ve already carried out a smaller study in the areas close to Olympic venues in the boroughs of Newham and Greenwich, and many local businesses said they felt ‘locked out’ of opportunities due to footfall and traffic disruptions, as well as challenges faced in accessing Olympic-related contracts.

“As we move towards the third anniversary of the London Olympics, this study aims to identify how the Games has impacted both in the short and medium-term on businesses right across the city.

“As London continues to bid for major events, we want to identify both the opportunities and challenges businesses face in light of hosting major cultural and sporting events, and how we can best support business in the future to ensure they fully benefit.”

Sue Terpilowski OBE, London Policy Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “We are supporting this piece of research as we need to gain a better understanding as to whether the much vaunted business legacy of the London 2012 Games has materialised.

“Nearly three years on from the Games it is important to see how the opportunities have been seized on by small businesses but also to see whether the businesses that won contracts in the 2012 host boroughs have been positively or negatively impacted.”

Lucy Haynes, CBI London Director, said: “The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games were a tremendous success for London and the UK, and the perfect global showcase for the many British businesses who played a part in it.

“Three years later, the buzz of the Games may have moved on, but London’s reputation continues to rise. This survey will help us understand how the Games has impacted businesses across the capital.

“To really capitalise on the Olympics’ economic legacy, it’s vital that we get Britain exporting and encourage more of our companies to sell their products and services in high growth markets across the globe.”

Colin Stanbridge, Chief Executive of the London Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is a very important piece of work that will help us understand the long-term impact of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

“We are encouraging our members to take part and look forward to considering the findings and how they could help to inform future large-scale events in the capital.”

To take part in the survey, visit http://svy.mk/1zaLapl    



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For more press information please contact:
Jon Green on t: 0845 196 4717, e: jon.green@anglia.ac.uk
Jamie Forsyth on t: 0845 196 4716, e: jamie.forsyth@anglia.ac.uk

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