Building Resilience: Why every business needs a continuity plan

In an ever-changing world, businesses face a variety of risks, from natural disasters to cyberattacks, that can disrupt operations and threaten their survival.

The good news? With the right preparation, businesses can mitigate these risks and bounce back stronger than ever.

North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum (NYLRF) is committed to helping businesses prepare for emergencies through practical resources and expert guidance. One of the most effective tools they offer is a business continuity plan template, designed to help businesses identify critical operations, assess risks, and outline strategies to maintain operations during disruptions.

Why create a business continuity plan?

A business continuity plan is more than just a document—it’s a lifeline for your organisation. It ensures that your business can:

  • Respond effectively to emergencies, minimising downtime.
  • Protect critical operations and maintain essential services.
  • Communicate clearly with staff, customers, and suppliers during a crisis.
  • Recover quickly, reducing financial and reputational damage.

How to Get Started

NYLRF provides a user-friendly template to guide businesses through the process of creating a tailored continuity plan. The template includes:

  • A checklist of essential supplies, equipment, and data backups.
  • Guidance on identifying critical business functions and assessing risks.
  • Tips for training staff and testing your plan to ensure its effectiveness.

You can access the template and additional resources here: Protect your business in an emergency | North Yorkshire Council

York Business Festival

York St John University is proud to announce a packed programme for York Business Festival this October. Taking place across two days, attendees gain direct access to the expertise of academics and researchers from York Business School and the wider University as well as a host of invited speakers and facilitators.

Brew York invests in a more sustainable future

When rising CO2 prices began putting pressure on Brew York, the team started looking for a more sustainable way to operate and reduce their reliance on external CO2 supplies. With support from City of York Council and the Growth Hub, Brew York secured grant funding towards new nitrogen generation technology, through the Business Sustainability Programme.

Innovation Supper: Meet the Dragons

Emerging entrepreneurs from across York and North Yorkshire will be pitching their business ideas to an engaged audience of like-minded business professionals at next month’s Innovation Supper. A panel of experienced business professionals are set to provide a wealth of business knowledge and insight, asking questions and offering invaluable feedback to those taking the stage.

Fully funded workplace training and development for North Yorkshire employers

Employers across North Yorkshire can now access free learning and development opportunities designed to help create more inclusive, supportive and productive workplaces. Available through the Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, the programme from North Yorkshire Council gives employers practical support to develop workplace cultures where employees feel valued, supported and able to thrive in work.

North Yorkshire brewery taps into technology to fuel growth

Founded in 2013 as a small-batch microbrewery, Harrogate Brewing Company was acquired by Joe and Julie Joyce in 2020 with ambitions to build a larger, more resilient business that could create a long-term future for their family. Just weeks later, the Covid-19 pandemic brought the hospitality industry to a standstill. With its pub customers disappearing almost overnight, the family adapted by launching online sales, home deliveries and a taproom.