AN increasing number of businesspeople in the north are backing a vote for the UK to exit the European Union, according to a new survey.
However, the poll of members of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce still found the majority in favour of remaining in the EU.
With just weeks to go until the June 23 referendum, 74 per cent said the north would be better off within the EU but a growing number want the UK to leave - now 21 per cent.
A similar survey by the chamber in February found just 11 per cent supported a vote to leave.
The chamber's findings are just the latest in a string of polls to find overwhelming support for remaining in the EU.
A survey carried out by the Irish News of dozens of leading companies from across the north found 90 per cent didn't want to walk away from Europe.
Meanwhile an internal vote by the Institute of Directors (IoD) found 75 per cent of its members wanted the UK to stay in Europe.
However, very few companies have been willing to nail their colours to the mast, and declare a public position on the so-called Brexit debate.
So far, William Wright, owner of Ballymena bus maker Wrightbus, is the only senior businessperson in Northern Ireland to speak publicly in support for the leave campaign.
Meanwhile, boss of Bombardier in Belfast Michael Ryan caused controversy when he emailed workers advising them the company would be better off within the EU.
The findings of the latest chamber survey were part of a UK-wide poll by the British Chambers of Commerce.
It found, whatever way business people were planning to vote, they had generally made up their minds with 86 per cent saying they couldn't be swayed away from their choice.
Those surveyed in Northern Ireland however held stronger opinions with 90 per cent of those asked saying they wouldn't be changing their vote.
Northern Ireland Chamber president Stephen McCully said: “As June 23 2016 fast approaches, the race for the business vote has clearly tightened. Although a clear majority of the businesspeople we surveyed continue to express a preference to remain in the European Union, the gap between remain and leave has narrowed in recent weeks.
“Whichever outcome prevails, attention must focus back to the economy on June 24 without delay.”
The chamber, which in the north represents more than 1,200 businesses that employee more than 100,000 people, has always maintained a clear position of neutrality on the upcoming referendum to respect the diversity of views amongst the businesses it serves.
In March, the director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, John Longworth resigned after he was suspended for saying the UK's long-term prospects could be "brighter" outside the EU.
