The UK as a whole has voted to leave the European Union after 43 years, though a 57.9% majority of Bath residents wanted to remain as part of the union in yesterday’s referendum.
There was a turnout of 105,298 for Bath and North East Somerset, meaning 77.13% of those eligible to vote did have their say.
60,878 of local residents voted to remain, with 44,352 voting to leave.
The overall turnout across the United Kingdom was 71.8%, with more than 30 million people voting.
It is important to note that the UK will not be leaving immediately, the United Kingdom will still be a member of the European Union until steps are initiated by the Government to leave.
Bath MP Ben Howlett said: “The Referendum gave the people of Britain a choice, and this morning they have spoken to leave the European Union. I am personally disappointed at this decision, but recognise the importance of the democratic process.
“There are now uncertain times ahead, but I am confident that as a nation we can rise to that challenge. I can assure all my constituents that I will fight for best deal going forwards.”
The value of the pound has also fallen dramatically following the news that the UK has voted to leave, putting it at its lowest value since 1985.
Chris, of popular local independent store Independent Spirit in Bath, said: “Specifically for us, all of our product range comes from both in and out of the EU.
“British craft beer is some of the best in the world but small breweries don’t have 2-3 years of uncertainty to wait for trading relationships to be built.
“They need raw materials like hops and the free trade systems we currently have in place to import these plus sell their product. Particularly in the southwest our breweries have a massive craft beer market in italy.
“I feel this result along with the pound freefalling will probably cripple the craft beer market. We will lose small brewers for sure. Independent businesses in bath are unique, they benefit from a distinctly European feel to Bath as a destination.
“While the pound dropping makes visiting attractive for tourists the uncertainty for the future will thin out what small business we have left until Bath becomes anytown UK. A carbon copy city, albeit with a Roman bath in the center.”
Prime Minister David Cameron has announced he will step down by October following the out vote.
The Koh Thai group, which has a restaurant in Bath, issued the following comment: “Whilst we believe that in the short term there will be uncertainty, the UK is a resilient country and we feel that in the long term a truly global focus will be of benefit to the country as a whole, the restaurant industry buys product from all over the world so putting in place trade agreements is a matter of priority.”
