SEVERAL businesses in the district have raised concerns about the impact of Brexit on trade and expansion, Bradford Council has revealed.

But the West Yorkshire economy is proving more buoyant than expected and a weakened pound is boosting overseas exports.

The mixed picture for the local economy, after Britain voted to leave the European Union in June, has been revealed in a report by Bradford Council’s assistant director of policy programmes, Sam Plum.

Her analysis says current economic indicators reveal a “more positive picture of the national economy than was initially expected immediately after the referendum”.

West Yorkshire is proving similarly buoyant, with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s trade and investment team receiving a “high volume of enquiries” in the post-referendum months.

She says: “Indeed, a weakened sterling could provide an opportunity for Bradford companies to maximise export opportunities. A social enterprise focused on recycling and the re-use of IT materials has seen their income increase by around 20 per cent as much of the materials they recycle are exported overseas.”

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But she warns that there is an “increased risk to foreign-owned firms who are located in the district who currently have access to the EU market”.

She says: “Contact has been made with several businesses who have expressed concerns about the potential future impacts on their trade and expansion.

“Specific concerns raised by a high-tech manufacturing company in the district include the impact on their expansion plans into Europe, the value of future exports, the stability of supply chains from within the EU and the recruitment of staff from within the EU.”

Her report also notes the “significant numbers” of EU workers in sectors such as social care and hospitality, and that it is not yet known if many will leave the UK.

Bradford Council’s Executive is due to meet to discuss the report on Tuesday at City Hall.