Mixed feelings amongst local businesses ahead of EU referendum

We've been asking traders if they think staying or leaving the EU would be better for business.

Published 17th Jun 2016

With just three days to go till people head to the polls in the EU referendum - we've been finding out what the feeling is in Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire.

We've been speaking to traders in Hull where there's a mixture of opinions about whether staying or leaving would be better for business.

Dave Wright owns an antiques stall in Trinity Market and will be voting for Britain to leave the European Union.

Dave told us:

"As a business I'll be voting for out. I'm hoping it will generate a bit more business in that people will feel more assured. I think it will generate more support financially. We had four stalls here but we have closed two of them down because the footfall is just so bad. I would say we are trading around a third of what we were two years ago."

Dennis Thornham runs a fruit and vegetables business and will be voting to stay in the EU.

Dennis said:

"I'm voting to stay in. The big reason being business really as there's a possibility that we might get let down with deliveries of fruit if there's somebody who is in the EU and we aren't then they might decide to send it elsewhere as most of our deliveries come from abroad. I'm hoping that if we stay in then the prices will remain constant like they have done. If we come out, it's all hearsay, but they might start to edge up the prices or decide not to send stuff to the UK if we are not a part of the union."

Many also told us how with just days to go - they were still undecided about which way they'll be voting on Thursday.

Market trader, Steve Dukes, is still unsure.

Steve said:

"I don't think it will make a great deal of difference either way whether we leave or stay. Everything was perfectly okay before we joined the European Union and we do a lot of trade with other countries and continents so I don't see why it should make much difference."

According to the British Chamber of Commerce - just over half of businesses (54%) are expected to vote remain - with 37% backing to leave the European Union.