If the absence of a swathe of traffic in the morning commute was not enough of a clue, the school summer holidays have now begun.
While parents and carers are likely most directly impacted by the six-week change in routine, businesses across the country will feel the difference in a variety of ways.
While some businesses thrive in the summer, others find that the challenges employees face can have a negative impact on productivity.
Knowing what to expect and how to prepare is vital for making it through to September with a budget and workforce intact.
There are clear winners in the school summer holidays and the targeted approach of the Great British Summer Saving Scheme makes this more pronounced than usual.
Hospitality and leisure businesses are set for a sharp increase in revenue that may be buoyed by the temporary reduction in VAT rates for select services aimed at children.
Even the businesses that are situated alongside those affected directly by the Great British Summer Saving Scheme may find the extra footfall helpful as families drag tired children into shops for a break from ice cream and playgrounds.
Carefully planning routes to take advantage of quieter roads could see transport and haulier companies operate more efficiently as school traffic is wiped out during the period.
For many Business-to-Business (B2B) industries, the school summer holidays are less likely to bring about a positive upturn in fortune.
Instead, the school summer holidays can see disruption as many employees take time off or find that managing childcare arrangements becomes more complicated.
While school offers a stable place for children to reside during the working week, summer holiday clubs, babysitters and relatives may not be so reliable, with a higher risk of last-minute cancellations and a struggle to manage unforeseen challenges.
This can result in employees needing to step away from work to handle situations or take time off if arrangements fall through completely.
Despite steps towards equality, women are still disproportionately more likely to face the added burden of handling childcare considerations on top of their regular employment.
With the Employment Rights Act 2025 making it a legal requirement for employers to tackle the Gender Pay Gap from 2027, knowing how things like childcare provisions may be making the situation worse is vital for employers.
The school summer holidays are a good opportunity to assess the impact of childcare arrangements on your workforce and begin factoring in ways to help before it is legally mandated next year.
Even businesses that are set to benefit from an upturn in revenue may find the situation to be somewhat stressful.
Knowing how to make temporary windfalls the foundation of sustainable growth is important and having an expert accountant support this process can be helpful.
This will involve working closely with budgets and financial forecasts to determine where it is best to invest extra funds and when they are best served as working capital.
For businesses that are facing concerns about productivity, factoring in helpful decisions when budgeting is necessary for maintaining morale and mitigating the economic risk of the next six weeks.
Employers stepping in to assist teams with childcare have been shown to be a positive step, as 98 per cent of employees felt that employer-sponsored nursery places helped office attendance and 91 per cent noted that holiday clubs improved focus.
Such schemes may seem costly, but with the extra obligations soon to be imposed by the Employment Rights Act regarding the Gender Pay Gap, they may be a worthwhile investment.
Our team can help you to consider the best approach that suits your team and budget.
We know that some investments can translate into higher rates of productivity and an ultimate boost in revenue if handled correctly, so we will assist you in considering the costs associated with any proposed approach.
Our payroll team can also help process any sudden absences over the summer so that you do not risk compliance issues.
We can support your business if the school summer holidays fill you with hope or with dread by understanding your unique financial position and helping you achieve your goals.
If you want to take the stress out of your business finances during the school summer holidays, speak to our team today.
