“Oxfordshire remains a brilliant place to live and work”

The audience then put their questions to an expert panel: macroeconomics specialist Jens Tholstrup, business editor Nicky Godding, Withy King senior associate Julie Acock and Shaw Gibbs director Ed Porter The session was chaired by Withy King partner Simon Bassett.

How long the UK economy would take to recover from the UK leaving the EU was the first question. Economist Jens Tholstrup said there wasn’t really a precedent as the only other country to ever leave the EU was Greenland, which has a much more simple economy than the UK’s. How long our national economy took to settle down would depend on the types of trade agreement and Government policy required, which could take anything up to a decade. Ed Porter added that the effect of inward investment to the UK could be dramatic for Oxfordshire.

Turning to Oxfordshire, questions centred on how the region can lift constraints on its growth such as lack of commercial space, unaffordable housing and a creaking transport infrastructure.

Many firms in the room were actively seeking more space but unable find it, including Withy King: "The speculative building that took place post-recession ended in 2011,” explained Julie Acock. "There is no new impetus for schemes and space in the city is cramped. We need to kick start investment again."

Solid State Logic, an audio engineering firm which relies on attracting skilled talent from outside the region, finds it difficult to attract people who need family homes. CEO Antony David said they lose a lot of good candidates who turn away "as soon as they see the prices in the Oxford Times Property Pages."

Jens Tholstrup cited the lack of coordination around road improvement projects, which are not conducive to attracting business and embarrass firms who bring international visitors here, adding that Oxford is a brilliant location that is failing to reach potential. A lot more can be done to help businesses grow here.

Nicky Godding added that more 'joined up' thinking is required. "There are a lot of silos all trying to do good work to help the business community but few seem to be talking to each other."

A number of initiatives to find solutions were put forward by the audience.

Shaw Gibbs’ Matt Wistow cited the University of Oxford’s ambition to "growth a £1bn business in Oxford" and that Oxford Sciences Innovation has been set up for this purpose.

The Oxfordshire LEP is also a source of support for local businesses, providing help with finding premises, navigating regulation and so on. Richard Venables, a Oxfordshire LEP board member, explained that the science parks Milton Park and Harwell are where the resources and land are in place for real business growth. In Oxford, major developments such as the Westgate Centre and new rail links will all add to the city’s appeal but pressure on business infrastructure.

Jamie Miller of Headway Oxfordshire turned the room’s attention to how businesses can help vulnerable people in the region. Simon Bassett explained Withy King’s policy of giving staff two days for voluntary work of their choosing, and how the firm itself carefully selects local charities to support based on the amount of good they will do in the community, rather than how they 'fit with the brand.' Jayne Woodley from Oxfordshire Community Foundation introduced the Reciprocate initiative, whereby local businesses come together to achieve more with the power of many through corporate social responsibility.

The session rounded off with Craig Middleton of property firm Cluttons asking which country in the world panellists would choose to be in based on its economic benefits. Jens Tholstrup, a Dane who has lived in the UK for over 35 years, didn’t hesitate: "You’d struggle to find the combination of democracy, quality of life and rule of law we have in the UK."

Will Oxfordshire ever be free of its constraints on growth? Or is it destined to become a place for smaller businesses and innovation?

Whatever the EU Referendum result, it’s pretty certain that these questions will be on the agenda at next year’s Economic Question Time.