Plymouth's Location Helps Business to Thrive by Lynne Mashhadi 14/01/2010
Whilst the rest of Britain is in the grip of ice and snow which is affecting business and harming the economy, Plymouth is a snow-free zone and is enjoying sunshine.
Plymouth's Balmy Climate
Plymouth's mild climate, which we enjoy thanks to our proximity to the Gulf Stream, is partly what makes it such a good tourist destination.
Frost is unusual in Plymouth, even in the depths of winter, which means that spring always comes early and we can grow palm trees and other plants, which would not survive in parts of the UK where the weather is more brutal.
The Impact on Business
The advantages of our climate to the tourism industry is self evident and it is no coincidence that the nearby Torbay area is called the English Riviera, but what about it's impact on other businesses?
Looking at the news this morning and seeing how most of the rest of Britain is coping with snow, ice, impassable roads, car accidents, pedestrian slips and falls, salt shortages and public transport disrupted, it occured to me how lucky we are in Plymouth. Douglas McWilliams, chief executive of the Centre for Economics and Business Research estimates that the snow could be costing up to 1 billion pounds per day in lost productivity over the whole of the UK.
Business As Usual
Plymouth has fared much better than the rest of Britain. We have had a little bit of snow and ice, but not very much compared to the rest of the UK. And today and yesterday, whilst the rest of the country is still struggling, Plymouth is basking in sunshine. Our roads are not impassable, the only salt we need is for chips. It's just business as usual.
This is invaluable to the Plymouth economy. Our buses are running, people can get to work, children can go to school, our roads are humming with traffic, and business transactions can continue unimpeded.
Plymouth is a good base for business because of its mild climate and this is good not just for tourists but for all the people who live and work here.
What do you think? Add your views and comments below.
About the Author:
Lynne has lived in Plymouth for nearly 20 years, and wouldn't live anywhere else.
The Plymouth Blog is where she talks about things that are happening in Plymouth and how they affect the people who live here. She's lived in Luton, London, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Cardiff and Bristol, but chose to come and live in Plymouth over 20 years ago because she saw what a great place it is.
Everything she says here is her opinion, so feel free to agree or disagree with her views! You can add your comments, using the form below.
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blog comments powered by Disqus Archived Comments:
"Plymouth has the best of three worlds, the sea, the country, the city. It is based perfectly for the tourist within Devon. I personly think Plymouths best earning resourses come from the holiday maker also the council taxpayer. The English Riviera is a haven for care homes and the retired and elderly. Bills are higher than alot of other British citys and wages allot lower. Plymouth is a difficult place to make a business effective unless you tender for the tourisum or entertainment as everyone scrapping around for money during this ressesion. During the last few weeks the weather has been dangerous, i have seen olderly people falling on paths. Where were the gritters? Where are the gritt bins? Maintenance has its costs to our city too."
IAN - JANUARY 18 2010 @ 12:08 PM
