Cold weather advice issued to businesses - commercial mortgages

22 January 2007

Following recent weather forecasts, businesses are being urged to take steps to limit problems caused by cold weather.

Royal & SunAlliance is urging business owners, such as those with commercial mortgages, to develop a business continuity plan to ensure that operations are note severely disrupted.

Additionally, firms should ensure that all control valves and stopcocks are clearly labelled, to keep windows and doors closed and to keep the heating at a minimum of four degrees C when the building is empty.

Commenting on the situation many businesses face, Graham Heale, underwriting director at the firm, says: "It is vital that businesses put in place a framework to deal with the unexpected and I would urge businesses to take precautions to avoid disaster."

Freezing temperatures can still damage pipes causing them to burst in the "best-run" properties, which could potentially have a negative impact upon businesses, he adds.

The Met Office predicts that the UK could see an increase in the number of cold snaps and snowfall in late January and into February.