Discuss EU referendum over breakfast

BUSINESSES will get the chance to discuss the in-out EU referendum at an event next month.

The Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce will hold the Quarterly Economic Survey Breakfast with the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and Sheffield University Management School on Tuesday, April 12.

Employers will have the chance to discuss the referendum following the launch of the British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) which will focus on the impact the June vote could have on business.

The free breakfast event will take place at The Edge at Endcliffe Village, hosted by Sheffield Hallam University. 

Andrew Denniff, chief executive at the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber, said it is important for people to get all the facts on the issue to help them make an informed decision before they vote on staying in or leaving the EU.

Mr Denniff said: “We have not taken a position on Europe. We will facilitate debate and have plans in place to start that process after Easter. Responding to the QES is a perfect opportunity for all our members to make their views known and tell us what they think.

“It’s for members to decide, after all they are the ones who will be voting in June. This is a major decision for the whole nation and should not be influenced by individuals who hold positions of responsibility in representative organisations like ours.

“Staying in or leaving the EU is a complex question that is often confused. For business there needs to be a clear economic assessment. What is becoming very apparent is that many businesses are seeking clarity because at the moment they just don’t know what to believe.”

In a recent report, Mr Denniff told the Advertiser the chamber believed most businesses in Rotherham wanted to remain in the EU but a sizeable proportion were still undecided.

For more information about the breakfast event visit http://screconomy.org.uk/events/

Voters will go to the polls for the EU referendum on Thursday, June 23.