Brexit border changes to hit stores in Northern Ireland hard

Northern Ireland border restrictions after Brexit would cost staff, businesses and customers dearly according to store owners spoken to by Retail Express.

An Ireland border agreement is yet to be reached, with Theresa May’s current plans for a “frictionless border” dismissed by international trade lawyer Eric Pickett as “a strict violation of World Trade Organisation law”.

Retailers fear that customers would be put off crossing the border to visit their store, buying goods from Irish wholesalers will become more difficult and massive localised job losses will destroy local spending.

Martina Gilbride of Belleek Variety Store and Post Office said she was concerned about a loss of footfall as the shop is a two-minute walk from the border. “I’d say at least 60-70% of our customers come from across the border,” she added.

As well as an impact on footfall, Seamus McFadden of McFadden’s in Strabane told Retail Express that changes could affect his store’s ability to meet customer demand for Irish produce.

He said: “I buy a lot of goods from a cash & carry across the border. Strictly speaking, I’m importing these goods which are not sold wholesale in the UK. It’s vital this status quo is maintained after Brexit. Anything else is unacceptable.”

David Davis, secretary of State for Brexit, defended the Government’s chances of keeping the border open. “The UK and Ireland have been clear all along that we need to ensure the land border is as seamless as possible for people and businesses,” he said.