FIRMS in Dorset should get into the Olympic spirit and make sure preparations are in place to mark the occasion, a leading Bournemouth businessman says.

Tony Brown, head of Beales, said for many, the 2012 Games is a once in a lifetime opportunity and his company is already making plans to celebrate in store with TVs showing the top events for staff and merchandise for customers.

“The message really is for the vast majority of people in this country we won’t be alive when there is another Olympics in this country.

“It is literally a once in a lifetime opportunity. Jubilees come and go, World Cups come and go but the London Olympics is a special event so why not make the most of it and have a bit of fun.”

Mr Brown said the store, which employs around 2,500 staff around the country, has bought Olympic-related merchandise and a red and white theme will be appearing through its stores during the spring and summer.

He added that together with the council and town centre manager he hopes to hold an event to mark the games.

Bournemouth Borough Council say plans are in place to ensure it is business as usual during the Games.

Richard Saunders, service director, HR and organisational development at town hall, said: “With the right plans in place, such as flexible working arrangements, Bournemouth Council is prepared.”

Emma Banks, head of corporate communications at LV= in Poole, said: “As a company with a strong British heritage and a long history in supporting UK sport, we will be celebrating this momentous occasion and encouraging our staff to get involved.”

She said the company hopes to arrange some fun athletic-themed activities in aid of local charities.

With regards to staffing, she added: “We expect some of our staff to take time off to attend or watch at home, however we have over 5,000 people so we have ample resource and as the games are over a number of weeks, we don’t expect it to be a problem.”

And Nigel Hedges, president of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: “The idea of staff members pulling a sickie to stay at home and watch the Olympics is not something I have heard about.”

He said Bournemouth can cash in from the Games by pushing its high quality accommodation and encourage people visiting the sailing games at Weymouth to spend a week in the town before making their way to the event.

Third of firms are unprepared

ALMOST a third of British firms have not made basic preparations such as dealing with an expected dip in staff attendance.

The survey of senior managers in 1,200 companies found that most believed there will be a negative effect, with higher hotel costs, supply chain disruption and staffing and productively issues which could be a “real threat” to any hopes of having a business boost.

But almost half questioned expected to increase their sales or win new international business as a result of the games. Colin Hansen, former British Columbian minister responsible for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, said the scale of their event was much bigger than expected.

He also commented that many companies were not geared up or prepared for how big the opportunity would be to them.

He added: “Nobody in the UK should expect the summer to be business as usual, but with the right plans in place, such as flexible working, every business – large or small – can take advantage of the occasion and seize the long-term economic benefits.”