SMALL businesses across the North-East are demanding a second vote on Brexit.

Backing a national call under the banner of the People’s Vote, for another referendum, a total of 90 business owners and sole traders from across the region have all written to their MP to demand a public vote.

With less than 30 days to go before the UK is scheduled to leave the European Union, it is still uncertain what is going to happen with Prime Minister Theresa May expected to hold another vote for MPs by March 12.

The Labour party has indicated it would support a second referendum to see if the public still prefer the ‘leave’ option, with 11 businesspeople in Hexham backing the People’s Vote.

Among them is Hexham businessman Tim Crump, who runs heritage interpretation firm Wildlight.

“When we had the original referendum two years ago, it was all very vague about what was on offer,” he said.

“As time has gone on, we can see not just the potential damage but the real damage Brexit has dealt our nation.

“Now we know more and can see the real effects of Brexit, we should be allowed to revisit our decision of two years ago.

“I think we should be listening to each other and the remain camp need to listen to the leave camp, and vice versa, and make a national decision.”

Heddon-on-the-Wall resident Kelvyn Gracie, the owner of Russell Telecoms, and his son Carl, who runs design and marketing business Cahill Gracey, have both written to Hexham’s MP Guy Opperman too.

He said: “I talk to different businesses all the time and, unfortunately, over the last few months especially, the uncertainty is just unbelievable.

“I was a remainer and I firmly believe there should be a second vote because people voted not knowing the facts. You wouldn’t jump into a hole if you didn’t know what was in the hole, and that seems to be what we are doing.”

Mr Opperman was contacted for comment.