National construction firm Wates is set to continue its operations without disruption despite the UK officially leaving the EU last week.

The firm's Chief Executive, David Allen spoke following the Brexit deadline on Friday 31 January.

"Since the outcome of the 2016 referendum, we have been making preparations to ensure that when the UK leaves the EU, our business operations will continue without disruption," Mr Allen said. "With the passing into law of the European Union Act, business now has greater clarity on the way forward.


"The long period of uncertainty has been damaging to business. It has inhibited investment and public spending, damaging the UK's economic prosperity and harming the construction sector. We are hopeful that the government will work positively and quickly to secure a negotiated deal with the EU, avoiding the prospect of a harmful 'no deal' at the end of the transition period.

"We are confident that our family ownership, our financial resilience and the contingency measures we have put in place mean we are as well prepared as we can possibly be to take every opportunity and weather whatever pressures lie ahead."

(CM/MH)