A Harrogate business has set up a company in Ireland ahead of Brexit in case trade talks “go horribly wrong”.
David Kinsey, owner of The Kinsey Partnership which distributes golf clothing and headwear worldwide, said he was confident his business will survive any outcome of Brexit.
It comes as today is the last day of crunch talks between the UK and European Union over a post-Brexit trade deal.
Mr Kinsey said he felt the outcome of the talks were “up the air”, but added that he would want to see a deal reached.
He said:
“I would like to see a smooth, easy transition like most would.
“I personally think everybody wants us to get a deal. I am sure all the nations in Europe want us to get a trade deal.”
The Kinsey Partnership imports and exports golf goods to shops and golf resorts in countries like Ireland, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.
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Mr Kinsey said, while he cannot plan ahead due to the uncertainty of the trade talks, he had set up a company in Ireland as a contingency.
“I’m in a position where I have set up a company in Ireland, just in case that is something we need in case things go horribly wrong and we can ship and import into Ireland if we have to.”
While the Brexit talks has caused uncertainty for trade, Mr Kinsey said coronavirus has caused the company bigger problems due to a shutdown on people playing golf.
He said the virus has been a “much bigger issue” on stock and trade.
Meanwhile, last week, North Yorkshire County Council played down fears that food is being stockpiled at schools and care homes to prepare for the end of the Brexit transition period.
NYCC released a Brexit risk assessment, published in September, which states that “there is significant risk of delays at ports that will impact supply chains” and that the authority is evaluating capacity for frozen food storage.
The Stray Ferret asked the county council to update us on its plans for Brexit. In a statement, NYCC said it is “managing any adverse impact” that may arise from Brexit, but said this did not involve stockpiling food.
It comes Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen set a deadline for today tor each an agreement on trade talks.
Both Mr Johnson and the EU warned earlier this week that a no deal scenario was a likely outcome.
If no agreement is reached and ratified by December 31 then the UK and EU could impose tariffs on each others goods.
If your company is affected by Brexit in any way, the Stray Ferret wants to hear from you. Get in touch on [email protected].
