A number of businesses in the North East - which reports suggest is likely to be hit worst by Brexit - have expressed concerns about the country’s upcoming departure from the EU.
Businesses of all size have expressed concerns about Brexit, with the region’s largest firm, Nissan, issuing a statement this time last year that made clear its worries.
The company had largely remained tight-lipped since the 2016 referendum, but it said in October 2018: “Since 1986, the 海角视频 has been a production base for Nissan in Europe. Our British-based R&D and design teams support the development of products made in Sunderland, specifically for the European market.
“Frictionless trade has enabled the growth that has seen our Sunderland plant become the biggest factory in the history of the 海角视频 car industry, exporting more than half of its production to the EU.
“Today we are among those companies with major investments in the 海角视频 who are still waiting for clarity on what the future trading relationship between the 海角视频 and the EU will look like.”
Another large employer in the North East, ship insurance group North, has been forced to launch a base in Ireland to make sure it has access to EU markets following the break away from Europe.
The Newcastle based marine insurance group, which recently rebranded from North P&I, set in train contingency plans which resulted in the creation of a Dublin subsidiary.
Nic Smith, co-founder of Gateshead-based Commercial Maintenance Services 海角视频 Ltd, said his firm won’t be directly affected as it doesn’t currently operate outside the 海角视频..
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Many of its suppliers, however do.
"Our clients could suffer from any prolonged downturn following a difficult Brexit," he said.
The company, which was established by engineers Nic and brother Neil Smith in 2000, design, install, maintain and repair building infrastructure for commercial clients – including a wide range of business critical systems such as heating, plumbing, electrical and refrigeration.
Its clients number Nissan, Mitie, Amey as well as several companies operating in the hospitality and healthcare sectors, such as Nuffield Health, Four Seasons Healthcare MacDonald Hotels & Resorts and Travelodge.
Mr Smith added: “We have tried to anticipate the various Brexit scenarios as far as this company is concerned, but we are well aware that many of our suppliers import items manufactured on the continent and that many of our clients’ businesses also have strong EU ties.
“It is hard to forecast the indirect effect Brexit will have upon us. We are not alone in saying we need answers, businesses need certainty and to fully understand what course of action our politicians intend to take in terms of whether this country leaves Europe with or without a deal.”
Meanwhile, The Lakes Distillery, which has its offices in Newcastle and distillery on the shores of Lake Bassenthwaite in Cumbria, is among those anticipating rising costs after Brexit.
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Chairman Nigel Mills said: “We are very lucky in that we are operating at the premium end of the market, which tends to weather the storm better than most.
“But where we are affected, for example, is on rising cost of our bourbon casks which come from the East Coast of America and have seen a 20% increase in the price of wood.
“And Sherry casks are 90% up, as a result of the Pound declining against the Euro. Then there’s the price of energy, normally priced in US dollars, so that’s gone up. If we crash out of Brexit, the pound will further decline, so in that respect we are not immune.”
He added: “In terms of Brexit it’s very difficult to negotiate with distributors abroad at the moment, in that it’s taking them longer to make a decision on whether to stock us or not.
“Everyone’s waiting to see if we are doing a deal, or not doing a deal and in business, confidence is everything. If the customer will spend, they will spend. Distributors in the US have concerns about Brexit and what impact it will have.
“You can plan for the implementation of a deal or no deal, but we’re all going to have to react in the moment if it happens or doesn’t happen. You can deliver everything in your control but can’t determine what’s not in your control.
“What’s happening is the economy is slowing because people are slowing making decision and when that happens there’s a knock-on effect on the supply chain.
"You end up in a state of paralysis and everyone suffers.”