Post-referendum advice available from Chamber of Commerce hotline

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is striving to offer companies all the advice and support it can following the referendum verdict from the UK to leave the European Union.

The Chamber has acted swiftly to try to keep businesses as well as informed as possible in these uncertain times. Ahead of the decision, it announced that it would launch a 'Go For Growth' post-referendum telephone support line, with advisers available to offer impartial support to businesses, and that support line is now up and running.

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The referendum has, in itself, caused a great deal of uncertainty within the economy and while we now have a verdict, the uncertainty will continue due to the fact that we don’t know the process and the timescales of the exit.

“We have already seen the market reaction and that will be of major concern to businesses and individuals - and that means we are going to need very strong leadership at all levels.

“The first priority is ensuring stability – this, above politics, has to be put first. Chamber members were split on what outcome they wanted, but a leave vote was always going to be the most difficult to mitigate. That’s not to say that it should put business growth on hold, but it does mean we need clarity on how we move forward and clear and decisive action."

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is committed to ensuring that as much information and guidance as possible is made publically available.

“We decided we would launch the hotline, whatever the outcome, in order to offer impartial advice," said Ms Bennett. "In the short term, other than the uncertainty, nothing should technically change but, as we have seen previously, confidence is key and it’s vitally important that we get a proper plan to deal with this verdict.

“So we wanted to offer businesses the reassurance that they can grow and prosper and go ahead with their plans for expansion.

“In the long term, of course, it’s vital that the government negotiates the very best deal for the UK and one that puts our opportunities to trade with the EU and the rest of the world at the very centre of our exit strategy.

“Again, our exporters should get in touch if they have any concerns or, indeed, if they see this as an opportunity to expand their horizons when it comes to international trade. The team based here in the Chamber’s International Trade Hub will be able to offer guidance on that.

"However, we are anticipating lots of questions on what this will mean for the future around trade with the EU, regulations, staffing where businesses have employees from the EU and a whole host of other issues this will throw up.

“In the short term, the answer is nothing should technically change but we are going to need very clear answers.”

For further information please call 02476 654321 and ask for business support or visit www.cw-chamber.co.uk.