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Snow joke for small businesses

Feb 02 2009

A frosty climate for business

While schoolchildren across the country are enjoying a day off in the snow, it is estimated today’s weather has cost the economy £1.2 billion.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) says that 20 per cent of the UK's workforce – some 6.4 million people – have not made it to work today.

The South East has been hit particularly hard with the worst snowfall in 18 years, causing all London buses to be pulled from service.

Stephen Alambritis from the FSB said its estimate of £1.2 billion was cautious and the actual cost is likely to be higher.

He says: ‘There is also the knock-on effect of passing trade going down as people won't be buying their sandwiches for lunch or picking up a coffee or newspaper.’

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