Brexit Hiked My Business Costs - Starmer's Germany Plan Must Work

Source: Found here

Art gallery owner Summer Obaid said that pre-Brexit, Germany was her business's third biggest customer. Since the UK left the EU on 31 January, 2020, she says interest from the country has almost dropped off entirely.

Small businesses up and down the country said Britain exiting the EU left them struggling with issues including increased labour shortages and customs delays.

Now, in an attempt to restore "broken relationships" with our European neighbours, Keir Starmer flew to Berlin to meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday.

The two leaders spoke about a new treaty with the aim of boosting business and to "turn a corner" on Brexit .

Speaking about the talks, 37-year-old Summer said she was "thrilled," and hopes any new partnership may give her small business the chance to thrive like it did before 2020.

She said: "We are a unique art gallery based in west London and we created all of our own art, prints and frames.

"Before Brexit, Germany was our third-biggest customer, but things have really slowed down since we left the EU. The new rules and regulations that the decision brought have been a complete headache for us to be honest and they have caused us lots of issues.

"We have seen huge potential in Germany. They love buying original art and it's a place where we'd really like to grow our business – particularly in Berlin because there's a huge interest there.