Hotelier Nigel Way said there was still a lot of uncertainty after the European Union referendum result. ‘I sincerely hope the outcome will not affect the diversity of Dartmouth,’ he said.

Mr Way, who owns the Royal Castle Hotel in Dartmouth, said: ‘Many businesses, including my own hotels, rely on overseas staff who have been left feeling daunted and in legal limbo.

‘We have a number of EU staff that have married into local families and we have helped the schools locally. There were 18 children from staff members at the three schools in Dartmouth when we had our Christmas party

‘It is, of course, too early to tell how businesses and industry will be affected, but there is concern about the knock-on effect, and what the implications will be in the long term.’

Mayor Cllr Rob Lyon said he had been sad how the country voted and did have some fears for the short and medium-term future of trade and our dealings with the rest of the world.

‘I trust Dartmouth won’t be affected too much but we might see slightly less visitors from the continent,’ he said.

But business leader Dave Cawley said he was not worried.

Mr Cawley, chairman of Dartmouth Chamber of Trade, said: ‘Dartmouth businesses have not reported any significant fears or changes due to Brexit and are unlikely to do so in the future.

‘One B&B had some German holidaymakers say as they were leaving on Friday: “See you soon as the pound is even better for us now”. Another high-tech mail order company has already noticed an increase in sales to North America, as British-made products are now even better value for them.’

Mr Cawley said, as ever, there was a need in Dartmouth for more industries outside tourism.

‘We can always hope and the chamber of trade will be the first in line to offer support and help,’ he said.