AN EVENT has been held for companies from York and beyond to learn more about the potential impacts that Brexit could have on their business and gain insights into the local attitudes towards the UK’s departure.

Held at York Sports Club, the event was hosted by Hethertons Solicitors, which has offices in York and Boroughbridge, to help businesses prepare for whatever the future may hold.

The event included a talk from the deputy leader of City of York Council, councillor Andrew Waller, who spoke with guests about what the council was doing to help local businesses with Brexit and the uncertainty it has created.

They also heard from five of Hethertons’ solicitors who covered a wide range of topics, including the effect of a no-deal Brexit on banking and financial services, employment, immigration and health and safety after March 29, 2019 and business terms and legal jurisdiction.

During the free Brexit, Business and Breakfast seminar, Hethertons also revealed the findings of its latest Brexit survey, which revealed that:

• 75 per cent of businesses surveyed said Brexit would affect them,

• Only half of the companies surveyed have made any preparations for Brexit,

• Of those who said Brexit would affect their business only a third had taken steps to prepare,

• 86 per cent of businesses surveyed said that they had not been provided with enough information to assess the effect of Brexit on their business.

Speaking after the recent event, Tom Henry, a Director at Hethertons, said: “It was interesting to hear from local businesses about how Brexit had already affected them and what they were doing to plan for the future.

“Many were taken aback by the results from our survey, which revealed that a large number of businesses in York were concerned about the effects of Brexit, while many more felt that they had not been given enough information to help with their preparations.”

Tom said that following the event the law firm planned to engage with more businesses and help them put steps in place to ensure they were ready for Brexit, including making the most of any new opportunities that might come along.

“I would like to thank those who attended this event and Cllr Waller for taking time out to come and discuss how Brexit is likely to affect them and learn more about what help is on offer, should they require it,” Tom added.