Friday marks five years since Britain left the European Union on Jan. 31, 2020. People and businesses are still wrestling with the economic, social and cultural aftershocks.

Representatives of the United Kingdom and the European Union look on as Britain and the European Union face a hearing at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the first post-Brexit trade dispute that has gone to arbitration over a ban on catching sandeels in British waters, in The Hague, Netherlands, January 28, 2025. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw

Five years after the UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020, the country is still adjusting to life outside the bloc. Brexit has strained small businesses more than big ones, changed university campuses and the NHS,

People in Northamptonshire voted in favour of leaving, with Corby having the highest percentage of leave voters, at 64.2%. South Northamptonshire had the highest remain share at 45.7%. The BBC has spoken to two businessmen with different opinions on Brexit and the impact it has had on their firms.

This is not the first time that the UK and the EU have expressed their readiness for a "reset" in relations. But now, five years after Britain left the European Union, there appears to be more momentum for making a reset happen,