LEADERS at two international businesses based in Tynedale said it was business as usual, despite the ramifications of a no deal Brexit looming large.

Hexham’s Austrian manufacturing firm Egger, and Haltwhistle’s globally renowned aircraft de-icing firm Kilfrost, both predict little impact on operations despite the details of trade restrictions to other parts of Europe remaining unclear following the crushing defeat for Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement on Tuesday evening.

In addition to its plant in Anick Road in Hexham, Egger has sites in six other European countries with bases in Austria, Germany, France, Romania, Russia and Turkey. And the company has plans in place to cope, whatever the Brexit outcome.

Bob Livesey, commercial director at Egger’s western European division, said: “Ongoing investments and commitment by the Egger Group in its UK operations over recent years place us in a relatively strong position to meet the potential demands of the future, whatever these might be.

“As a company, Egger remains European-centric and will continue to work primarily as an integrated European operation, utilising the technical, financial and market strengths and benefits of operating as a single group.

“We envisage that the result of the Brexit vote will still lead to uncertainty regarding the UK’s economic outlook. However, as a company Egger (UK) Limited is well placed to sustain its market leading position based on its mix of customers, ongoing reinvestment in production technologies and product range.”

Kilfrost, based in Haltwhistle’s Albion Works, provide aircraft de-icing fluids to airline companies across the world – and will continue to do so regardless of the implications of Brexit.

And the company’s chief executive, Gary Lydiate, is not phased by no deal.

“The deal on the table was not a good one, and so, for the benefit of the country and business alike, we should be considering an alternative deal, or no deal,” he said.

“A no-deal Brexit would make no difference at all to us as a business. In fact, this outcome would actually give us greater opportunities to trade with other nations, as we already do.”

But the North East Chamber of Commerce said many of its members shared a different view and has demanded an extension to Article 50.

Chief executive James Ramsbotham said: “The government must now do whatever is necessary to extend Article 50 to avoid leaving the European Union without a deal. Our region’s strong economic linkages and trading relationship with the EU mean that the consequences of no deal would cause tremendous harm to the North-East.”