Lancashire votes Leave in EU Referendum: The business community reacts

By Dean

24 Jun 2016

All 14 of Lancashire's boroughs have voted to leave the European Union in the EU Referendum.

The seaside town of Blackpool returned the largest majority of leave votes in the North West, with 67.5 per cent, whilst Lancaster saw the smallest majority with 51.1 per cent.

The full results were:

BlackpoolLeave: 67.5%Remain: 32.5%

BurnleyLeave:Remain:

HyndburnLeave: 66.2%Remain: 33.8%

WyreLeave:Remain:

PendleLeave: 63.2%Remain: 36.8%

RossendaleLeave:Remain:

South RibbleLeave: 58.6%Remain: 41.4%

FyldeLeave:Remain:

ChorleyLeave: 56.8%Remain: 43.2%

Ribble ValleyLeave:Remain:

Blackburn with DarwenLeave: 56.3%Remain: 43.7%

West LancashireLeave:Remain:

PrestonLeave: 53.3%Remain: 46.7%

LancasterLeave:Remain:

 

 

Mike Damms, chief executive, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce:

It is statistically surprising that all of Lancashire’s boroughs voted leave, although this has been pretty consistent with the results from similar northern areas but the contrast with neighbouring Manchester who are arguably more cosmopolitan and administrative is noteworthy.


Frank McKenna, chief executive, Downtown Business in Lancashire:

Political leaders have a huge job in restoring confidence and healing the country which is clearly divided. I think business leaders need to do all we can to support that process.


Mike Perls, chair, IoD North West:

British businesses are resilient and, with their characteristic ingenuity, they will weather this storm. It is now beholden on politicians to negotiate a deal with European leaders which preserves the ability of British firms to trade easily with the remaining member states.

Companies do not want to have to worry about losing valued staff.

The IoD will be running a snap poll of its members on what the referendum result means for business. The results will be released for publication on Monday morning.


Jane Parry, managing partner and head of tax, PM+M:

We are now in uncharted territory and likely to see continuing instability across the economy and political arena for some time to come.

The immediate priority for businesses is to understand what they can do to give comfort and confidence to investors and funders and to start to put a plan in place to navigate the business through the next two years.

 


Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general, CBI:

The British people’s vote to leave the EU is a momentous turning point in our history. The country has spoken and it’s for us all to listen.

The urgent priority now is to reassure the markets. We need strong and calm leadership from the Government, working with the Bank of England, to shore up confidence and stability in the economy. The choices we make over the coming months will affect generations to come.

 


Lynn Everson, managing director, Lifeline Language Services:

As an organisation whose members are focused on supporting companies internationally with their language service needs, we are concerned and disappointed by the results of yesterday’s referendum.

We are already facing a record UK trade deficit and an exit from the EU will further feed into that narrative making it even harder for the UK to close to improve its export performance with Europe and the rest of the world.


Terry Scuoler, CEO, EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation:

While it is not the result many businesses wanted, it’s the democratic will of our nation. The Government must move very quickly to stabilise the economy, reassure the markets and shore-up business confidence. The process of leaving the Union will take some time, and the Government should not rush to instigate Article 50 and the formal exit process, while there is so much uncertainty. Ministers must think carefully about our negotiating position while setting out a clear roadmap for establishing a new deal with the EU which remains our biggest market and trading partner.

In the complex task of unpicking the UK from EU regulation and legislation, the Government must tread carefully, keeping if we can a trading relationship with the single market, avoiding dramatic overnight changes and not becoming bogged down to the detriment of making long-awaited and much-needed decisions on projects vital to our future economic prosperity.


Simon Allport, senior partner, EY North West:

The initial impact of the vote to leave the EU may not be felt straight away as we will still likely be full members during the negotiations. There is a risk that we may see investments continuing to be delayed and transaction activity continuing to be put on hold in the face of heightened uncertainty.

Europe is a significant investor in the North West, as our recent UK Attractiveness Survey shows, in particular from Germany and France.

Businesses across the region will also be keeping a close eye on any changes to regulation and to Government policy, particularly around issues such as taxation, EU research funding and potential use of state aid by UK Government to back selected sectors.


Peter Elston, chief investment officer, Seneca IM:

It is unclear how far and for how long markets will fall though it is quite possible that markets today will end the day well off their lows. Markets have a tendency to overreact.

The financial markets are sending a clear message today that it could well be bleak, though that is by no means a certainty. Indeed 52 per cent of the electorate believes that the UK's prospects are now brighter. They and their flag bearers should now be listened to.


Mike Cherry, national chairman, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB):

FSB calls on the Government for clarity on what these decisions now mean for business, including how businesses will have access to the single market and the free movement of people and trade.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Dean

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin