A week after Britain voted to leave the EU, a poll at a business event has shown two thirds of firms are confident about the year ahead.

The survey at the North Kent B2B, an exhibition run by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, found 65% of 55 respondents feel postive about the next 12 months.

The poll was conducted by accountancy Crowe Clark Whitehill, which has offices in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.

It found in seperate studies before the referendum that 67% of 85 respondents believed their business would benefit from remaining in the European Union.

Partner Darren Rigden said: “Many of the people who voted in our poll felt Brexit provided an opportunity for their businesses to see a faster pace of growth with potentially less obtrusive legislation affecting the way they operate.

“Many of the people who voted in our poll felt Brexit provided an opportunity for their businesses to see a faster pace of growth with potentially less obtrusive legislation affecting the way they operate..." - Darren Rigden, Crowe Clark Whitehill

“Although the terms are yet to be finalised, the businesses we spoke to felt it was unlikely there would be a higher amount of legislation and therefore were confident opportunities would be greater.”

It comes after five of the biggest business groups in the UK wrote an open letter this week calling for the government to provide clear leadership and immediate action.

The letter – signed by the British Chambers of Commerce, the Confederation of Business Industry, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Institute of Directors, and EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation – calls for an end the uncertainty facing EU nationals living and working in the UK, and action to progress long-planned infrastructure projects.

It said: “Addressing these key issues would be a shot in the arm for business confidence, and send the right signals across the world. This may be a time for calm reflection, but it is not a time for inaction.”

This week, the impact of Brexit was discussed on KMTV business show Chris & Co, featuring IoD Kent branch chairman Jane Ollis and Kent County Show chairman Kevin Attwood, who is also a delegate at the National Farmers’ Union.

Mr Attwood said: “If you look at polling in the NFU, clearly there was a significant percentage – around 30% – who were in favour of Brexit. That was about regulation.”

Mrs Ollis said: “Let’s just keep going. We’re resilient, we’re resourceful and we tend to deal quite well with a crisis.

“A good business is one which always deals with change and manages uncertainty.

“At the moment, sterling is falling in value so if you are trading with other countries then you are probably going to do quite well. Have a think about where you can find unique places to place your products and services.”