Border traders still worried as uncertain future draws nearer

TRADERS living on both sides of the border remain sceptical of what life will look like after Brexit.

Many business owners say they have been left in the dark over how their commercial lives will function.

For border towns like Aughnacloy in Co Tyrone and Emyvale in Co Monaghan – which are just five miles apart – a free-flowing and frictionless border is crucial for business.

Les Vajner, who runs a photography business in

Aughnacloy with his wife

Emilia who owns a flower shop, said: “We have a huge amount of traffic passing through here which we rely on.

“Almost half of my wife’s business comes from the

Monaghan area or from people travelling to Donegal.

“If that slows down she is very much afraid of what could happen, not only her but other businesses in the area.

“If you look at the car registration plates in Aughnacloy half of them are southern but any border area is the same.

“We don’t know what will happen if trade slows down, she will have to close her business. She has just started and things are going OK but we are heavily reliant on crossborder trade.”

Jason Morrison runs Drop Inn charity shop in Aughancloy and works with youth groups north and south of the border.

The youth worker, who voted to remain, said it has been hard for businesses in the area to plan for the future.

He added: “The majority of our trade would be southerners because they have to travel through here to get to the Ballygawley roundabout and then on to the motorway so they stop in the town.

“I’m worried about what this deal will look like because if it’s difficult for people to come through here then they will stop coming and shops will close, leaving the town dead.

“But without concrete details it’s hard to know what will happen.

“No one has given information to people living in border towns or consulted with them. They don’t know how this impacts us.

“Brexit is getting closer so they have to get everything out there, tell us when it’s happening, how and why and maybe there won’t be as much fear.”

Fives miles away in Emyvale in the Republic, traders are also concerned about the future.

Kevin Maguire, a pharmacist who travels from Belfast to Co Monaghan every day, said one of his biggest concerns is getting medication for his patients.

He spends an hour travelling to work which involves crossing the border – a journey he describes as a “simple commute”.

Mr Maguire said: “If there is any border or difficulties I would have to move house.”

He explained without a secure deal prescriptions and pharmacists will be affected.

Mr Maguire said: “A lot of prescription medication is procured through the UK so if there’s no proper deal secured there could be a medication shortage and we will have to get new supply routes.” CONCERN Les Vajner from Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone