Skegness holds on to 'hope' on Brexit Day

Only a scattering of England and Union Flags along Roman Bank gave a hint that East Lindsey posted figures of more than 70%. in favour of leaving the EU in June 2016 - some of the highest in the country next to Boston.

Today (Friday) marks the start of a transitional period allowing businesses and government to prepare to post-Brexit arrangements.

Lincolnshire County Council leader Coun Martin Hill said: “Brexit is a momentous, historic occasion – one which should be marked appropriately.

“We’ve been asked by government, where possible, to fly the union flag on our buildings.

“As a county which overwhelmingly voted to leave the EU, we’re pleased to do so.”

The transitional period is set to end on December 31, 2020, but can be extended for up to two years.

A number of events across the country are planned to mark the event, with a clock counting down the last hour to 11pm set to be projected on to 10 Downing Street, while Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage is set to host an event in Parliament Square.

An attempt to get Big Ben to ‘bong’ for Brexit, which sparked a fund raising appeal, was refused by Parliament - but £272,000 raised will instead go to Help for Heroes.

Andrew Derry, owner of GAF Gym and Fitness Centre, admitted being responsible for the act of 'patriotism' on Roman Bank in Skegness. "It's our 'Independence Day' and I wanted to celebrate," he said.

"We have fought long and hard for this and it has finally happened.

"I'm a very patriotic person - my family were in the military.

"The uncertainty that still remains is down to 'project fear'. Britain's businesses will prevail - just like they did after the war.

"People should remember that. This is a good thing."

Paul Dixon, chair of the Skegness Business Area Chamber, agreed everyone should remain positive. He said: "On this auspicious day we are staying positive, looking to the future of our businesses and preparing to build new relationships.

"Whilst non of us know how this will turn out we are hopeful that there will be new opportunities that we can take going forward."

It was business as usual at the Hildreds shopping centre in Lumley Road.

Manager Steve Andrews said:the centre was looking forward to a better season than last year: "Last year footfall was down, although sales were up," he said.

"Already footfall is up 5% in January, with sales up at Christmas."

One of the centre's local businesses, Chuckling Cheese, hoped sales would improve now Brexit Day had arrived.

Chuckling Cheese produces a variety of cheeses at the company's family farm just outside Skegness and has shops in Doncaster and Middlesborough and kiosks in Derby, Nottingham, Merry Hill in Birmingham and Metro Central.

Director Stuart Colclough, said: "The uncertainty has affected business but we are hoping that now confidence will grow and people can move on and start spending again."

Some members of the town's Polish community have not waited to find out what the future holds.

Former Skegness Polish Educational Association chairman Wojciech Pisarski said: "I personally only know Polish people who are well-established in Britain with children who were born here who are determined to stay.

"However, I am told of people who don't have children have left Britain, mostly to live in other European countries.

"In addition, people whom I know who used to come to work for nine months from the spring to autumn, mostly in agriculture but also in Butlins and shops, have now stopped coming and employers have, as a result, been short-staffed.

"Barring an increase in the hostility to foreigners that was behind the 'leave' campaign, I think that there will be a continuing Polish and eastern European population continuing to live in Britain in the future but it will be much diminished from the influx of 2014 -2010.

"Of course, the Polish government which has found itself short of the professions that left Poland in recent years is welcoming any returnees."

Former councillor Phil Gaskill and Labour Party member commented: "Like many Labour supporters we would not vote for anything Cameron told us to--whatever it was.

"As we all know, Cameron only called a referendum because he wanted to destroy UKIP.

"Many leave voters were enticed by Johnson's claim of £350 million a week extra for the NHS. Good luck everybody. We're going to need it."