‘It’ll cripple retail, stunt tourism, cut pay’

BUSINESS people in border towns were last night bracing themselves for what the Brexit vote could ultimately mean for them and their communities.

Dundalk Chamber of Commerce said it believed that, with the Co. Louth town’s unique position so close to the border, locals were poised to feel the negative effects of the result before anyone else.

Spokesperson Paddy Malone said he feared Brexit would cripple retail trade, stunt tourism – and result in an immediate 10% pay cut for anyone living in Dundalk, but working north of the border.

Mr Malone said: ‘In the short term, our worry would be for Dundalk’s retailers as sterling falls... We’re also worried about the many people who live in Dundalk, but work in Newry – they’ll effectively see a 10% reduction in their take-home pay.’

Mr Malone is also worried about the potential impact of border controls. He said: ‘In the long term, we’re trying to develop the whole region as a tourist destination, and we’re working with Newry to make this happen. How can we do that if there will now be visa restrictions on one side of the border, particularly for non-EU tourists? How will that work?’

Dr Aidan Regan, lecturer in European Political Economy at UCD, said he envisaged people in the Republic would now flock across the border to buy cheaper goods in sterling, and that this would have an impact on Irish business.

He said: ‘You’re going to have people going up to Belfast to buy stuff... In that sense Irish business will be affected, particularly along the border area.’