It won't come as a surprise that the combined effects of the cost of living crisis following Brexit and Covid have been a factor in almost every one of the business closures we've reported on in the last year.

Nearly three-quarters of UK firms say leaving the EU has affected them “very negatively”.

Three years on since the UK left the European Union (EU), a Midlands business owner has described the move as a "complete disaster". / Nic Laurens, who runs an abrasives supply firm in Shropshire, moved 90% of his company to the Republic of Ireland in order to remain in the EU.

A meringue manufacturing firm says it no longer exports to the EU due to issues created by Brexit. / A meringue manufacturing firm says it no longer exports to the EU due to issues created by Brexit. Flower and White, which employs 30 staff at its Telford headquarters producing 1m products a day, formerly exported to 12 countries in the EU.

Businesses across the West Midlands are facing higher costs, a big increase in paperwork and hold-ups at ports.

Shropshire Chamber of Commerce is calling for urgent action to improve trade connection with Europe, as the UK marks the second anniversary of Brexit.

Work to install waterproof lining to part of the Shropshire Union Canal has been hit by delays caused by the pandemic and Brexit.