Despite some inevitable market anxiety following the European referendum, Butler Sherborn has recorded a positive return of cautious optimism from clients just a matter of weeks after the event that took the country by surprise.

“There are a number of reasons that things don’t seem to be as bad as everyone anticipated in those early days back in June,” says Sam Butler.

“The speed with which the new Prime Minister was elected and the calming influence she has brought to bear undoubtedly set the agenda.

"Since then, we have seen bank interest rates cut, unemployment down and retail sales up by 1.4 per cent month-on-month in July compared with an expected rise of less than 0.2 per cent and up by almost six per cent annually.

“Team GB’s phenomenal success at the Rio Olympics has also helped to draw the country together and has perhaps sent a signal to those naysayers in the rest of Europe that the UK is far from being a spent force!

“This level of confidence is also being seen in the Cotswold property market with properties under offer through Butler Sherborn up by 40 per cent and completed deals up by a staggering 500 per cent in July & August, compared with May & June when Brexit anxiety was at its peak.

“Inevitably speculation will continue as we wait to learn more about the potential implications and timings of Article 50 and Brexit itself but I think we are already seeing positive confirmation that the Bank of England has a firm hand on the country’s fiscal direction and a number of companies have already confirmed their continued investment in the UK.

“As we predicted in June, stability is now returning and creating an easier market for both buyer and seller to read and respond to.

"There continues to be a shortage of supply but with potential sellers now seeing that things are beginning to move forward again we expect to see more good houses being offered for sale during the autumn.

“We take confidence that this will be underpinned by the underlying strength of the British economy and the business-like approach already being seen from the new-look Conservative government, and we are looking forward to the autumn with renewed confidence.”