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

Going For Growth: Make your business profitable today

Embark on a journey of self-improvement as you momentarily step away from the day-to-day of running a business. This course isn’t about taking time off; it’s about taking time to enhance your business, surrounded by peers who are just as driven to succeed. Prepare to gain insights and strategies that will clear the fog and illuminate your businesses path forward.

Farm Business Support Programme

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The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has invited businesses to apply for a new programme to help overcome one of the biggest barriers to growth. Get Funded, part of the Mayor’s Business Innovation Fund and backed by £200,000 in funding, launched today and will run for the next two years until December 2027.

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Online business start-up & self-employment courses funded by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Adult Skills Fund, providing straightforward, practical information and guidance for anyone who is in the process of setting up a business or simply exploring the idea. 

Mentoring Programme Set to Strengthen Local Business 

The Mentoring for Growth Programme is designed to support small businesses across York and North Yorkshire that are ready to grow, scale, and move confidently into their next stage. The pilot will match local business owners and leaders with mentors from outside their industry, helping them to develop the core, non-technical skills that underpin sustainable business growth.