Lloyds sees the Olympics as fair game for SMEs

It says that with exactly two years to go until the Games begin, the London 2012 Organising Committee is procuring more than £700m of goods and services from sporting equipment to temporary buildings.

It is also seeking licensees to produce, distribute and market London 2012 branded merchandise.

These contracts are available, not just in London, but right across the country.

But Lloyds says the real boost to UK small businesses could come from the range of wider supply chain contract opportunities that are becoming available across the UK regions and in sectors as varied as technology, logistics, hospitality and security.

It says these opportunities are emerging now, as firms with larger contracts already secured look to bring in other firms to help deliver their projects.

Lloyds says its research indicates that just over half (51%) of smaller firms expect the Games to have a positive effect on the economy, while among larger businesses that figure rises to 70%.