Bosses running West of England firms are almost three times more likely to vote in favour of remaining in the EU than leave – with the gap between the two views widening over the past three months.
The latest snap survey by Business West – the region’s largest business organisation – of its members is in contrast to a spate of recent polls showing the vote on a knife edge. 
The Business West poll of 700 firms across Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire took place over the past two months.
It shows that 62% of business people plan to vote to remain in the EU, compared to 22% who would vote to leave – a ratio of almost three to one.
The gap is wider than the findings of Business West’s last survey in February and March, when 57% of businesses said they would vote stay against 26% in favour of Brexit.
Business West managing director Phil Smith said: “With a number of national polls pointing towards a close race, these finding 
show that West Country businesses are bucking this trend, with sentiment growing towards remaining in the EU.
“When we polled local firms three months ago, we found that the majority of our region’s businesses were concerned about the risks of leaving the EU, and this view appears to have strengthened as the referendum date draws closer.
“Our role in the run up to the referendum next Thursday is to provide impartial information to both our members and the wider business community.”
The survey results were released ahead of the largest EU debate in the region, staged by Business West – which runs the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and the Bristol Initiative.
The West Decides, which took place at Colston Hall, gave firms the chance to hear from two expert panels, as well as keynote speeches from leading business and political figures.
Among those on the panels were Graham Cole, former chairman of aerospace 
firm AgustaWestland and author of the Cole Commission on Exports, president of Airbus Group Paul Kahn, former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees and Bristol tech entrepreneur Jaya Chakrabarti.
Pictured, top and centre right: The West Decides panel discussions. Above left, former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind. Botton right: the audience listening to the debate. All photos by JonCraig.co.uk
