UK Brexit Flower Trade: Uncertainty about details hits flower sector

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Europe

02:37

The political chaos surrounding Britain's impending exit from the EU on March 29th has left many businesses unsure about how their company might deal with trade. One sector which is feeling the heat is the flower industry. CGTN's Hannah Hoexter has been meeting florists in London to hear their views.

Few gifts could bring the same joy and emotions as a bouquet of fresh flowers. As well as putting a smile on your face, it's also a billion dollar industry in the United Kingdom, there are nearly 5000 florists across the country. But the confusion over Brexit and the possibility of leaving the EU without a deal, has created a sense of unease.

"Don't talk to me about Brexit. I hate it but, um, I'll still buy flowers."

"The stable structure of life in the UK is about to change."

A fear that is shared from local market stall holders to expensive florists in London's West End.

HANNAH HOEXTER LONDON "For 110 years, flowers like these made their way to the UK via the Netherlands. But Brexit uncertainty means that trade model could be affected by tariffs and delays at the border, possibly withering the profits of places like this and causing some to rethink that traditional trade model."

Like Ed Scanlan, who has sought a new way of doing things. The former florist now runs a price comparison site for flower shops.

ED SCANLAN FLORISMART "Everybody loves flowers and they are shipped into the UK from across the world. So we thought we'd cut out two sides of the triangle. We just reconfigured the transportation routes even if there are tariffs what we save on transport will outweigh this."

Many businesses are fearful of the Brexit upheaval. BUT for some, in the flower industry, this could be an opportunity to explore pastures new. Hannah Hoexter, CGTN, London.