Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce: No Deal Brexit is ‘worst of all outcomes’

The potential impact of a no-deal Brexit for Edinburgh businesses has been revealed in a survey of members carried out by the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce. The responses came from over ten sectors, with the outlook for a no-deal Brexit being overwhelmingly negative.

76% of respondents confirmed that a no-deal Brexit would have a negative impact on their business and only 4% suggested it would have positive implications. Despite this reality, only 14% have a specific plan to deal with the likely impact on their business. The chamber surveyed 102 members in September and October 2019.

In order to address the concerns raised, the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce has launched a series of workshops in partnership with Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP to help businesses to prepare should the UK leave the EU without a deal on 31 October.

The workshops are available to all interested businesses, whether they are a member of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce or not.

They will commence this week, with two targeted at potential issues for the food and drink and hospitality sectors. Guidance around the future supply chain and the ability to recruit EU staff will be among the issues covered.

There will also be further workshops starting next week, to consider the impacts on the digital and creative sectors and professional services. Issues such as the impact of no-deal on intellectual property and data protection will be touched on.

Commenting, Liz McAreavey, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: “While we are encouraged that talks to avert a no-deal Brexit are ongoing, the results of this survey indicate the stark reality facing both our members and the city of Edinburgh if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. Whatever your views on Brexit, we are very clear that a no-deal scenario is the worst of all outcomes.

“So that we can support Edinburgh businesses to deal with the implications of this, we will be running a number of workshops in the coming weeks. These are available to everyone and will help ensure businesses are as prepared as possible for any scenario. Our hope is that the practical advice on offer does not need to be implemented, which is why we would urge the UK government and the European Union to reach a deal.

“Business continuity and growth is vital for the health of the economy – our survey makes clear a no-deal Brexit will have severe consequences not only for the vast majority of businesses but also the communities in which they operate.”

Further information on the workshops 

Food and Drink: (17^th & 23^rd October)

What does a No Deal Brexit mean for the Food and Drink Sector? Find out how legal changes caused by a No Deal Brexit impact on your business and what steps you can take in order to prepare. Our No Deal Brexit workshops delivered in partnership with Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP will cover the following issues:-

• EU Staff – how a No Deal Brexit will impact EU staff already working in the UK.

• EU Staff – how a No Deal Brexit will impact on businesses ability to recruit and retain EU national staff who arrive after 31 October 2019
• Guidance on supply chain vulnerabilities in the event of a No Deal Brexit.
• Guidance on compliance with EU food law if a third party exporter.

Hospitality: (17^th & 23^rd October)

What does a No Deal Brexit mean for the Hospitality Sector?   Find out how legal changes caused by a No Deal Brexit impact on your business and what steps you can take in order to prepare.  Our No Deal Brexit workshops delivered in partnership with Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP will cover the following issues:-

• EU Staff – how No Deal Brexit will impact EU staff already working in the UK.

• EU Staff – how a No Deal Brexit will impact on businesses ability to recruit and retain EU national staff who arrive after 31 October 2019
• Is a No Deal Brexit the beginning of the end for European owned deli’s and restaurants and an opportunity for British restauranteurs?
• Guidance on supply chain vulnerabilities in the event of a No Deal Brexit.
• These issues will be tailored towards the hospitality sector. 

Digital and Creative (22^nd October & 29^th October)

What does a No Deal Brexit mean for the Digital and Creative Sector? Find out how legal changes caused by a No Deal Brexit impact on your business and what steps you can take in order to prepare.  Our No Deal Brexit workshops delivered in partnership with Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP will focus on the following issues:-

• Labour Supply Chain

• EU Staff – how No Deal Brexit will impact EU staff already working in the UK.
• EU Staff – how No Deal Brexit will impact future EU staff arriving in the UK after 31 December 2019.
• Recruiting Non EU Staff after a No Deal Brexit –when and how will this get easier after No Deal?
• Business travel and work to the EU after a No Deal
• Information and Data Management
• Data Protection – how No Deal Brexit impacts on GDPR and its applicability.
• Transferring personal data between the UK and EEA in a No Deal Brexit: the implications and practical steps to take.
• A look at data protection policies and data management practices and practical steps to take.
• Intellectual Property – A look at the various intellectual property issues that may arise in a No Deal Brexit in relation to trademarks, copyright and patents.

Professional Services  (22^nd October & 29^th October)

What does a No Deal Brexit mean for the Professional Services Sector? Find out how legal changes caused by a No Deal Brexit impact on your business and what steps you can take in order to prepare.   Our No Deal Brexit workshops delivered in partnership with Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP will focus on the following issues:-

• EU Staff – how No Deal Brexit will impact EU staff already working in the UK.

• EU Staff – how No Deal Brexit will impact future EU staff arriving in the UK after 31 December 2019.
• The impact of No Deal Brexit on re-qualification and consultancy.
• Establishing a legal entity elsewhere in the EU
• Working in other EU member states after No Deal – case studies on how this will operate in other member states
• Fly in/fly out business travel
• Information and Data Management
• Data Protection – how No Deal Brexit impacts on GDPR and its applicability.
• Transferring personal data between the UK and EEA in a No Deal Brexit: the implications and practical steps to take.
• A look at data protection policies and data management practices and practical steps to take.