Flood barriers in place in Worcestershire

Flooding & business – what does research tell us?

09 October 2017

University of Leeds

Our research synthesis workshop is the first part of a programme to enhance the accessibility and uptake of research outputs to meet the needs of a diverse stakeholder community, and in a timely manner.

Download a summary report of the day (pdf, 4.2 MB).

Background

The number of major floods in Europe has risen from one per year (1900–1974) to 15 per year (1993–2001), with many parts of the UK suffering extensive inundation.

Flooding presents a range of threats to businesses. It has a disproportionate impact on the UK’s 4.5 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that represent nearly half of the country’s business turnover. SMEs are particularly vulnerable as they are less likely to be prepared to manage the consequences, with fewer resources to mobilise in response. Risk exposure reduction and preparedness measures will inevitably vary with the nature of the SME business.

Presentations

Dr Stephen Garvin, BRE

The property flood resilience action plan

Dr Andy Moores, Environment Agency

Flooding and business: A view from an EA research perspective

Mary Dhonau OBE

How to make a business ready for flooding

Prof Andy Plater, ARCoES, University of Liverpool

Flooding & business – what does research tell us?

Prof Bingunath Ingirige, University of Huddersfield

Impact of flooding on small businesses and the exploratory study into flood adaptation in Mytholmroyd