INVESTMENT in Warrington is being tipped to continue flourishing after Brexit as firms 'forge ahead' amid the ongoing uncertainty.

Warrington for Europe campaigners have claimed a no-deal Brexit would have a 'devastating' impact on businesses in town, with the north west hit by a potential 12 per cent fall in its economy.

Senior Town Hall figures continue to raise fears over the repercussions of leaving the EU.

READ: ‘We were lied to in first referendum’ – residents on Brexit

The 'major' risks identified by the council include threats to devolution, funding, investment, legislation, labour supply and economic uncertainty.

But – six months ahead of the UK's scheduled departure date – it is 'business as usual' for firms in the borough, with many shrugging off concerns.

Human resources consultancy firm Altum HR, on Knutsford Road, supports SMEs across the north west.

Josie Broadstock owns the company, which is part of the Business Exchange, and she shrugged off some of the current concerns over Brexit.

She said: "From a Brexit perspective, it really is a case of business as usual, until otherwise informed.

"For some clients, it wouldn’t make any difference to them at all but for others we work with, such as construction companies, obviously it is more of a concern as it might have a knock-on effect for them in relation to slowing down their growth in the period of uncertainty – the stakes are much higher for them.

"Speaking to a client the other day, we settled on the analogy that it is a little bit like having a baby.

"It is never a perfect time, you can worry about it and try and plan as much as possible but, actually, you can’t really put life on hold.

"When it happens, as long as you are confident that your business is in the strongest position you can possibly have it in, you haven’t taken unnecessary risks, you are informed as much as you possibly can be, then you are in the best shape to deal with it.

"People seem to have, I feel, in the last six months, kind of got bored of waiting and have forged ahead.

"The world hasn’t changed, nothing has fallen over and they have taken confidence in their own ability."

But Ms Broadstock admits there was an element of 'panic' across business following the referendum.

“There was that external black cloud hanging over us, people were scared to plan ahead too much," she said.

“But because the wheels have kept turning over the last two years it has given people a certain level of security, so they can carry on with what they are doing.”

She also put forward her views on the potential impact on legislation after Brexit.

"There is nothing specifically from an employment law perspective cited, or anything coming from a legislative point of view, that will have a knock-on effect," she said.

"I think, if any of the legislation will be changed, a lot of that will be related to how the routes for appeal work in relation to the EU – and some precedents might be challenged.

"But other from that, I think until the dust has settled it will be very difficult for anyone to know what they do and don’t need to legislate against, or need to vary with policies and procedures."

The Business Exchange allows businesses and entrepreneurs to collaborate to help build a ‘stronger economy’ for the town.

Ms Broadstock said: "It has given a real centralisation to business and commerce in the area.

"It seems to have given the industry and area a sense of community.

"It has given a feel of trusted partnerships, it is really collaborative."

And she dismissed suggestions that investment in the town could take a huge hit after the UK departs from the EU.

She added: "I am absolutely confident investment will continue.

"You only have to look at the growth and the construction under way – and the expansion of Birchwood.

"I think you have to take some comfort in larger, huge commercial firms putting their money into the area, showing that they don't have any long-term concerns from a Brexit perspective."

Major companies across the town are also keeping a close watch on the situation.

Logistics firm Eddie Stobart, which has its headquarters at Stretton Green Distribution Park, was announced as a partner of the Northern Powerhouse project in December.

A spokesman said: "There clearly remains lot of uncertainty around the consequences of Brexit.

"In Eddie Stobart, most of our operations are in either the UK or continental Europe, with less than two per cent of our revenue generated through crossing the English Channel.

"While we await clarification, in terms of the negotiations, we feel that given the flexible nature of our operating model, we are well placed to respond in the appropriate manner."