More than 220 small business owners across Yorkshire write to their MPs to demand a People’s Vote

They have all written to their MPs as part of the People's Vote Campaign to demand a public vote on Brexit.

Originally from Pakstan, Suliaman Aslam worked as a bus driver before opening his own store - Quids-In - selling household goods, a year ago in Goldthorpe, near Barnsley.

Suliaman said: “I want a People’s Vote because I think we are all human and can make mistakes. During the first vote most people had no idea of the outcomes. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about: we can correct our mistake and make a change for the better for all of us.”

Paula Widdowson founded a sustainability consultancy called CSR-i Ltd based in York nine years ago.

She said: “Brexit impacts in both big and small ways. Business thrives on certainty, so all this uncertainty means no one can make plans, which is damaging.

“The number of people I know who voted ‘leave’ – including my parents - who now say they were ‘tricked or conned’ is phenomenal. I can only liken it to buying a house: it looks fantastic so you make an offer, then when the surveyor’s report reveals it’s built on a fault line, do you still continue with the purchase?

“I know people who have changed their mind based on the deal on offer. The deal we have with the EU is better. Surely we all deserve a chance to measure our views against clear information?”

Michael Cardis is the proprietor Carolina Blinds & Curtains, which has been operating in Leeds for over 20 years.

He said: “Most of my products are imported and that level of uncertainly in trade isn’t helpful. If there is a downturn in the economy of course it will definitely impact the business. There needs to be a People’s Vote because I think what will happen if we leave Europe is an absolute disaster. Even the first time round I thought asking this question in a Referendum would have disastrous results."

They are among thousands of small business owners from across the UK who have written to their MPs to demand they back a People’s Vote.

An increasing number of business leaders and companies have expressed concern that any form of Brexit will harm the economy and put jobs at risk.

The aerospace firm Airbus, which employs thousands of people across the UK, has called the government’s handling of Brexit a “disgrace” and said it could quit the UK If we leave the EU.

Sony recently announced it is moving its European headquarters from Britain to the Netherlands to avoid Brexit-related customs issues.

There are growing fears that more companies could decide to leave the UK, if Brexit goes ahead. A recent survey by the Institute of Directors suggested that one in three British businesses could be forced to shift operations abroad, due to Brexit.