Kaffeo director Orla Smyth runs three independent Scandinavian coffee shops in Belfast.
What was your reaction when you heard the UK had voted to leave the European Union?
I was absolutely devastated from a business and personal perspective. We are a very small country. It’s much nicer to be part of something bigger. Cultural diversity is such a good thing for society.
How is your business likely to be affected?
As soon as the vote result came in, my coffee costs went up 17 per cent. I import coffee from Denmark and pay in Danish kroner. It is such a stable currency, steady as a rock. I also bring all our furniture, crockery, design in from Denmark. My main concern is nobody is telling me what is happening with the VAT situation.
How much do you rely on exports or the supply of materials across the Border?
One of our biggest suppliers is based in Monaghan. Initially, I was worried about Denmark and then realised I have to worry about what happens on the island too.
When did you begin preparing for Brexit and what contingency plans have you put in place so far?
Absolutely nothing. I am a tiny business when compared to others. You can’t plan for the unplannable. I am not big enough to hedge against the currency risk.
Are you examining new markets/suppliers and, if so, how practical is that?
Not for my coffee, as that is my unique selling point. We are a Danish coffee company so it is not practical.
I ordered 300 kilos of coffee this week. It goes from Denmark to the Netherlands to England, and then to Dublin or Belfast. I have no clue what that is going to look like post-Brexit. Even for timing.
Does Brexit present any opportunities for your business?
None that I can see.
When do you expect to be Brexit-ready?
I don’t think I can ever expect to be Brexit-ready.
What’s your best/worst-case scenario?
Best case is there is no Brexit. Second-best case is the backstop is in place and we get clarification on goods and tariffs. Worst-case scenario is that I cannot bring in my main product that I sell in the shop or I bring it in and it costs me a lot of money and I can’t pass that on to the customer.
I think it is going to be a difficult few years. Again, it is all guesswork. Nobody has any idea of what is going on.
Are you stockpiling goods/raw materials?
That is impossible as I deal in freshness. I bring in coffee every two weeks.
How might government help ease the pain of Brexit for your company or sector?
We need detailed guidance. The problem is they don’t know. We want to know the exact impact on bringing in food stuffs from the EU – the VAT issues, any other tax issues and costs. Success depends on what it is going to cost us post-Brexit.
How do you think the Irish/British (or both) governments have handled the Brexit negotiations?
I voted to remain. It is striking to me that the Irish Government is representing the interests of people in Northern Ireland better than anyone. The main party at Westminster, the DUP, is not representing the views of the majority of Northern Ireland who voted to remain. To the British government, Northern Ireland was an afterthought for them. Unfortunately it is a very painful afterthought. This isn’t about politics, it is about the bigger picture, it’s about business.
Looking out five years, how do you think your business or industry will have changed as a result of Brexit?
If they are talking about capping who can come into the country, staffing is going to be an issue. So many Europeans work in hospitality here. Also, we have been integrated into [the EU] for so long I can’t see a time when we are standing on our own as a completely separate entity trying to do business with it. I find that hard to see.
Would you like to see a second referendum on Brexit?
It is difficult as the atmosphere is so toxic now. In a clear world where everyone was playing fair, it would be important, but my concern is that it is such a toxic environment, particularly in England. If there was another vote in Northern Ireland, I personally think it would be much higher to remain. Ultimately there should be another vote but the circumstances don’t appear to be right for it now.
I do think people should have a say on what Brexit looks like. There has to be some sort of public involvement. If we know what Brexit looks like then we could have a meaningful vote.
