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‘We are suffering from Brexit blight in the UK market’
Bristol business leaders have joined forces with others across the country to voice concerns about the impact of Brexit.
Fears over ‘trade friction’, delays and lack of time to prepare for when the UK withdraws from the EU are already affecting day-to-day operations and decision-making for many companies in the city, according to bosses.
The need to speak out with one voice has led to the formation of The Three Chamber Alliance, a pioneering new collaboration involving Business West, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
Darren Jones has been outspoken on the potentially damaging impact of Brexit since his election in 2017
The group launched last week at the Houses of Parliament, where members lobbied MPs, including Darren Jones for Bristol North West and Kerry McCarthy for Bristol East, on the issues facing businesses.
“Trade friction will have a cost on competitiveness for many of our members which will hurt our local economy,” said Phil Smith, managing director of Business West.
“We will be moving from frictionless trade to a system with friction, undermining many of our small exporters and largest business sectors – and forcing some to relocate production onto the European mainland.
“We are urging Parliamentarians to consider these real costs when debating the future Brexit deal.”
The Three Chambers has also launched a campaign platform, chamber.online, which provides news, comment and views on Brexit and other pressing issues across the three regions, enabling businesses to make connections and amplify their impact.
Andrew Varga
Andrew Varga is the managing director of Seetru, a safety valve manufacturer based in Bristol that supplies chains operated by large multi-national companies, which rely on timely delivery and no delays.
“If there are customs formalities, we will face a next-to-impossible task in turning round the necessary export documentation within our short lead times,” he told the group of MPs.
“Furthermore, we have twice as many individual orders from the EU as from the rest of the world, so this will triple our export administration workload for no extra business.
“We have been suffering from Brexit blight in the EU market since last year, in that we are unable to develop new business due to the risks around customs friction and the uncertainties. German and Italian competitors are snapping at our heels – and biting chunks out of our legs.”
Export businesses representing London and Manchester chambers painted a similar picture, highlighting the impact that Brexit uncertainty is having on three key centres of the UK economy, and underlining the need to speak as one business voice in campaigning for change.
Read more: ‘Bad Brexit deal poses significant risk to Bristol North West’
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