In the months ahead the Brexit debate will doubtless divide opinion across the county. Until we know the result of the referendum announced by David Cameron on whether Britain should remain in the European Union, to be held on Thursday 23 June, H&C News will publish statements and opinion pieces from businesses and business leaders across our industry.
Today the Whitbread Board issued this statement on Brexit.
“The referendum on the EU is a decision for the people of Britain. At our regular Board meeting today we considered the impact of the EU referendum on Whitbread. The Board has concluded that, given a very large proportion of our profits and operations are UK based, the direct impact of a vote to leave the EU is likely to be relatively minor. However, the uncertainty arising from a vote to exit and the subsequent potentially lengthy negotiations could negatively affect consumer confidence and the general economic outlook in the UK, which would be both unwelcome and potentially damaging to our business. On this basis, we believe that Whitbread’s best interests are served by remaining within the EU.”
Whitbread is the UK’s largest hotel, restaurant and coffee shop operator with 45,000 employees.
Another viewpoint also published today from Tim Martin Wetherspoon founder and Chairman Tim Martin can be read here.