BRAVO to the Dorset Echo for producing the ‘NOT PREPARED’ Brexit supplement (9-10-18).

Ian Girling, Dorset Chamber of Commerce's chief executive is right to point out the lack of clear Brexit information to businesses from this May-led Government, making it difficult for companies to produce accurate Brexit risk assessments.

There is no doubt that a ‘No Deal’ with the European Union would represent a disaster for Dorset businesses and jobs – especially if they are ill prepared for the new realities.

Local MPs Richard Drax and Oliver Letwin should be moving ‘might and main’ to help the business community prepare.

To date I’ve seen no evidence that they are.

I’m sure I would have read stories in the Echo if they had! Mr Drax’s column writing has hardly been constructive about the EU!

Even local small businesses like cafes and hotels are likely to be affected by ‘footfall’ after Brexit.

Over this summer I’ve met Belgian and German families in Weymouth and Dorchester who love visiting this country (including a lovely Belgian couple who took a selfie of me and them in my ‘Stop Brexit’ t shirt!): but they all wondered whether they would be back after March 2019.

Every cup of coffee or portion of shepherd’s pie sold helps keep the cash tills of local cafes brimming with change.

This region must do everything it can to encourage visitors from mainland Europe.

On Saturday at Safe Wise, Radipole Lane (12 noon) Weymouth and Portland Action on Wages are holding a conference at which Brexit’s influence on local poverty wages is bound to come up in discussion.

Clearly, wage levels are crucial in running a successful business.

I would urge all local businesses and the Dorset Chamber of Commerce to attend in order to input into the debate about how we can best bolster wages in a post Brexit Britain – especially here in Weymouth, Portland and West Dorset.

RICHARD DENTON-WHITE

Fortuneswell, Portland