A BANK boss is warning Bolton’s small businesses to be prepared for a raft a new laws, which could challenge their ability to expand and create new jobs.

Ian Hardman, managing director of the Yorkshire Bank, in Bradshawgate, says small businesses need to plan ahead for new key trademark, employment and energy laws this year.

He said small businesses should pay special attention to enforcement of the Olympic Act; changes to staff rights for parental leave and the Government’s new green deal for energy efficiency.

The London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006, which is known as the Olympics Act, could create uncertainty for small businesses seeking to make the most of business opportunities arising from this summer’s Games. It severely restricts the ways in which firms that are not official sponsors can associate themselves with the Games.

It is forbidden to use any of the trademarks, such as the Olympic rings, and certain words or phrases such as “Olympic”, “London 2012” and “gold”.

This is to ensure businesses do not create an association with the Games which official business sponsors and suppliers are entitled to.

Mr Hardman said: “The act will disproportionately damage small businesses who cannot afford the penalties that violating the act could bring.

“It is essential smaller firms fully understand the restrictions and are extremely careful not to violate any of its conditions.”

Small businesses should also take into consideration parental leave — which is a benefit separate from maternity and paternity leave — that gives parents the right to take unpaid time off work to look after their children.

Currently, both parents have the legal right to take up to three months parental leave up until the child’s fifth birthday.

However, after the adoption of a new EU parental leave directive on March 8, this right will increase to four months until the child’s eighth birthday.

Mr Hardman said: “Smaller businesses find it more difficult to plan around staff taking parental leave.

“They simply do not have the human resource departments which are needed to deal with the complicated administration of issues relating to family leave.

“It is essential employers take time to research this change to fully understand the implications.”

Mr Hardman’s third warning relates to the Green Deal, the coalition Government’s flagship policy for improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

As part of the Energy Act 2011, firms are offered an assessment of how to maximise energy efficiency, with measures paid for upfront, or through installments on energy bills.