Brexit border chaos leaves gaps on Northern Ireland shelves

Stilton suppliers are among those hit by new red tape
Stilton suppliers are among those hit by new red tape
DEBBY LEWIS-HARRISON

Kieran Kelly has no stilton to offer his customers this weekend. The owner of Belfast’s historic Sawers deli has not had a delivery of British cheese since before Christmas, and his suppliers say it may be months before he can have one again.

“We just can’t seem to get anything over from Britain at the moment,” said Kelly, 52. “Before Christmas I said I would worry about Brexit when it comes. Now it’s here, I’m worried about it.”

Sawers is just one business struggling to come to terms with the new reality after the Brexit transition period ended on New Year’s Eve.

As a result of new red tape on goods being shipped from Britain to Northern Ireland, some food producers have stopped sending produce