Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Brexit impact ‘hard to tell’ in first year
SOUTH KENSINGTON UNSURE OF WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2020
AFTER years of discussion and debate Brexit Day has finally arrived, marking the beginning of Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Since the EU Referendum in 2016, the nation has been split between whether Britain should leave or remain.
For London’s many communities from European countries such as France, Italy and Poland, there are concerns of whether they can comfortably continue to call Britain their home.
James McKay manages Premiers Choix, a fruit and vegetables store in the heart of South Kensington’s French community. He has had the store here for more than 40 years, but is uncertain about what the effects of Brexit will be on his business.
He said: “We’re concerned. Most of our supplies come from Europe so that might affect us.
“There may be delays at the ports, prices might be more expensive.
“We’re really unsure. It might be okay, it might not be.
“I have an open mind about Brexit. I see the pros and cons on both sides, so the first year will be hard to tell.”
According to the French consulate, there are 300,000 French people living in London, with South Kensington regarded by many as ‘Little France.’
Osvaldo Belliardo, who runs French delicatessen La Grande
Bouchee, also in South Kensington, says Brexit “won’t make a difference”.
He said: “For me, Brexit won’t have a massive impact. I’ve had my shop here for 31 years now.
“A lot of the people who live here are millionaires. I don’t think they would be affected too much.”
Just across the road from La Grande Bouchee is the exclusive French day school Lycée Français Charles de Gauelle de Londres.
Many students said that Brexit did not mean much to them, but for others the reality of Britain leaving the EU is a sad one.
Stella, 16, said: “It’s not going to be awful, but there are sad changes.
“Since 2016, we’ve had friends who had to move away because of relocated jobs due to Brexit. This school used to be filled to the brim, but now there are way more spaces.
“For people who have been born here and lived here their whole lives, like me, it’s okay, but for other people it’s quite sad.
“They feel like this is their country.”
She also added concerns around travel after Brexit.
“We’re against Brexit, it’s not cool,” she said. “I don’t know what it will be like completely, but it’s going to be a lot harder going back and forth between France and UK.”
However, Maya, also 16 and a fellow student, said Brexit will matter a lot more for the older generation, but young people do not really understand so will not be affected as much.
“We’re really not that affected,” she said. “We’re young and we’re privileged. The people who will be most affected are people who depend on being in the UK.
“People [students] learn about Brexit in geography but it doesn’t go further than that. I think to have an opinion on it would be ignorant because you don’t fully know what’s going on.”
Victor, 16, agrees, adding: “We don’t really know what’s going to happen with Brexit.
“A lot of young people genuinely don’t understand it so it’s hard to say what the impact will be.
“Our parents are aware that there are big changes coming to Britain and over the last few years some have already been leaving.
“For me it’s too soon to say if it’s going to be bad.”