Will Brexit deliver a merry Christmas?
138 views · Published 6 November 2018 · 6:26 · Indexed 3 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(1 Nov 2018) LEADIN: The UK is preparing for its final Christmas before leaving the European Union. Retailers at the annual Spirit of Christmas event in London have mixed feelings about how Brexit will affect future trade. STORYLINE The British lion: a symbol of pride and patriotism in the UK. But as Britain prepares to leave the EU there is ongoing uncertainty about the country's future - not least about how it will affect trade. At this year's Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia in London, retailers and exhibitors are showcasing their goods for the festive period. Ania Zankowska, the founder of Aerloom London, has an array of quintessentially British looking Christmas decorations. As well as a lion she has the Queen, corgis, crowns and British bulldogs. And as we approach Brexit she's even got "Brussels" Sprouts. As someone who originated from Europe - she was born in Poland - her British pieces were originally a celebration of her move to the UK. She says they remain incredibly popular to this day: "Not just in Britain but all around the world." With business still booming Zankowska says she hasn't suffered any negative effects from Brexit yet: "I'm remaining very positive. I work very closely with the Department of Trade and Investment, who assure me that the situation will be well monitored and the support I've received will be continued," she says. Another exhibitor selling iconic British images this Christmas is the founder of Village Workshop, Itet Radcliffe. Amongst her traditional gingerbread houses stands a large, gingerbread Big Ben, with Santa hanging off the top. She says unless the online sites she sells through change their rules, after Britain officially leaves the EU on 29 March 2019, her business should remain stable: "We sell through online shops and they distribute to Europe and they haven't given us any indication that things will be changing. For this year definitely we haven't seen any change, no repercussions at all," she says. And she believes there is something about British made goods which still gives people the confidence to buy: "Well I think people like to associate what they are buying as made in England. I think on that line, yes, here people are quite aware of where it's coming from, so made in England is quite a lot of difference." While decorations representing British culture look to become a trend this Christmas, another product which will be popular is flavoured spirits and liqueurs. The Oxton Liqueur Company is a family run business which hand makes fruity liqueurs from a farm in Nottinghamshire. This year, alongside their Elderflower Gin and Bramble Whisky, they are showing off a Christmas Vodka. But while the drinks themselves are very much made in Britain - the glass they sell them in comes from Europe. Owner of The Oxton Liqueur Company Christopher Eadie says Brexit related fluctuations in currency have come at a cost for him: "We've seen an increase in the price of goods that we buy from Europe of about 25 per cent. So that for us is all our glass, that comes from Italy, from Germany and from France. So already there's been a huge impact, what will happen after Brexit we'll have to see," he says. The Spirit of Christmas Fair is all about shopping and often a good indicator of consumer confidence and spending power. Organisers say this year was a record year for visitor and exhibitor attendance. Stuart Hunter is a Portfolio Director at Clarion Events which organises the Spirit of Christmas Fair. He says Brexit is hot topic: "We do have a lot of conversations with our exhibitors and obviously there's some nervousness," Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/09dc833a510b4e73de5b23bd4ffd8445
