Firms across Swindon and the West of England are already cutting jobs, hiking prices and freezing investment as a result of the fall-out from the Brexit vote, according to a snap poll by Business West, the region’s largest business organisation.
One company said it was considering moving overseas while others have stopped taking on new staff, the results show. 
More than 200 companies businesses responded to the short survey within hours of Business West putting it online. No details have been released of how many jobs are being axed have been released or from which companies.
Business West – which runs the Swindon & Wiltshire Initiative – wanted to gauge members’ views ahead of yesterday’s meeting between business leaders and major companies and Business Secretary Sajid Javid.
The result is a snapshot of confusion and anxiety among businesses fearful of the market turmoil already caused by Brexit and the terms of Britain’s withdrawal from the EU.
Business West’s James Durie said: “Since the Brexit decision was announced last Friday, we at Business West have been working hard to hear from and support our members and understand the possible implications for their businesses in Bristol and the South West – how they are feeling and what decisions they are making.
“It’s clear that many businesses have put investment decisions on hold and suspended recruitment – at least until the dust has settled.
“We’ve also heard cases of immediate price increases, staff reductions, acquisitions stopped and one consideration of relocation overseas.
“On the other hand, there are businesses telling us they think there will be no or little impact and for the time being at least business continues as normal.”
He said that West of England businesses were calling for economic and political stability, for strong leadership and a coherent plan and clarity on what happens next.
“But, just at the moment and in the immediate future, I think this is exactly what we won’t get from Government,” he said.
Yesterday’s meeting with Mr Javid was attended by 27 representatives of business groups and leaders of some of the UK’s largest companies, including the CBI, Institute of Directors, British Chambers of Commerce.
Mr Javid told the meeting that retaining the UK’s access to the single market would take top priority in the negotiations with the EU. Non-EU countries such as Norway and Iceland have access to the single market, but only on the condition that they allow freedom of movement for EU workers.
Telecoms giant Vodafone has became the first major firm to warn it could relocate its head office outside the UK if Brexit negotiations restricted the free movement of people.
The firm, which employs nearly 110,000 people around the world and about 13,000 in the UK, said Europe accounted for 55% of its profits, while the UK accounted for 11%.
It said Britain’s membership of the EU had been an important factor in its growth. A move away from the UK would be likely to affect its office in Paddington office rather than its UK headquarters in Newbury.
The Business West survey is still open for more businesses to give their views.
Click here to take part in the survey
It asks four questions:
* What help do you need following the Brexit vote?
* Are you considering making any significant decisions on staff, prices or investment?
* If you export to the EU, have you had talks with your customers about your continuing business relationship?
* What should be the Government’s key priority for business?
