County firms join anti-EU campaign group

The move comes amid warnings from businesses that the EU is making it harder for them to create jobs and that EU regulation is holding back their businesses.

Business for Britain North West wants to see fundamental change in the UK’s relationship with the EU and believes that politicians have given away too much control over our economy to EU politicians. The North West regional council is headed by Preston-based John Kersey, managing director of Kersey Hairdressing and former chairman of the Institute of Directors in Lancashire.

Business for Britain is backing the Vote Leave campaign – which is campaigning to leave the EU. The group said data by market research firm YouGov found that just under a third (30 per cent) of smaller companies in the region think the EU makes it harder for them to employ new staff, while 13 per cent think Britain’s EU membership makes it easier.

Some 54 per cent believe the UK could trade and cooperate with the EU while retaining control over our economy.

John Kersey said: “More business leaders in the North West feel that the EU is hindering rather than helping them. EU rules are making it more difficult for us to expand and take on new staff.

“We’ve given away too much control over our economy to politicians in Brussels. I want to see powers come back so that we can make rules that are better suited to the needs of businesses in the North West. “

I believe that businesses in the region could thrive outside the European Union.”