Member Article

‘Stay in the EU’ - letter signed by 130 North East business chiefs

As the debate over Brexit rages on, business leaders in the North East are continuing to weigh in on the matter. A total of 130 business leaders from the region have put their names to a letter calling from the country to remain a part of Europe.

Letter contents

The letter read:

“We the undersigned lead businesses and their supporters from different sectors and areas in the North East. Together we employ thousands of people across the region. EU membership has been an important driver of economic development in the North East.

Businesses in the North East need unrestricted access to the European market of 500 million people in order to continue to grow, invest and create jobs.

We support the UK remaining a member of the European Union, and add our voice to the major unions, business organisations, manufacturers, local government leaders, major party leaders and our international allies and friends sharing this common desire.

We recognise the EU is not perfect. However, we also recognise that the UK has benefitted enormously since the joining in 1975, making the terrible 70s a distant past, and helping in no small measure to make the UK one of the strongest economies in the world.

We believe that leaving the EU would deter investment, threaten jobs and put the North East economy at risk.

The UK is one of the most powerful nations within the EU and has made significant contributions to making the EU better in terms of trade, rights and security.

We wish this role to continue and we believe continued membership to be in the best interests of jobs, trade and investment, security and maintaining and enhancing the UK’s leading position in the world. Britain will be stronger, safer and better off remaining a member of the EU.“

Small business analysis

Interestingly, as well as some of the region’s largest and most well-known businesses putting their names to the list, many of the region’s soletraders and small firms have been vociferous in their support for remaining in the EU too - a cry which can often go overlooked.

With small businesses often described as the backbone of not only the region’s but the nation’s economy as a whole, signatory Matt McGough (pictured below, middle), Managing Director of Ithica Films, a TV film and video production company operating in Middlesbrough, describes the importance of remaining in the EU in relation to his business.

“It’s incredibly important for Ithica Films that we stay in the EU, we are based in an EU funded building as part of the regeneration of Middlesbrough, we’ve been able to access ERDF support which has enabled us not only to start as business but grow very quickly and create jobs that just didn’t exist previously”, explained Matt.

“An exit could be very damaging. I think the uncertainty caused by an exit from the EU is my biggest fear around this issue.”

He added: “It’s the uncertainty that affects people’s confidence and that is a damaging thing; a few businesses having to adapt to change is one thing but for every business to have to go through it at the same time and not know the rules of the game - it’s a worry.”

Are you a part of a small business? If so, we’d love to here from you. Why not comment below and let us know your thoughts over Brexit.

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