Small design firms in the UK are moving their production abroad and setting up businesses in the European Union to get around a slump in business following Brexit.
Increases in costs and paperwork and falling orders from the EU are forcing designers to act.
Furniture designer Lara Bohinc has set up a business in the Netherlands due to the "untenable costs and hassle" of exporting to the continent.
"The UK is no longer a viable distribution hub," Bohinc told Dezeen.
Designer Peter Marigold is moving the production of his meltable bioplastic FORMcards to Germany, saying that keeping the small-scale business in the UK is "just not viable".
"Best to not have anything even touching the UK"
Furniture retailer Viaduct has acquired a Dutch business address to avoid having to move products to and from the UK. "The best thing is to not have anything even touching the UK," said Viaduct founder James Mair.
Industrial designer Sebastian Bergne and textile designer Donna Wilson are among others who are looking for ways to set up overseas after seeing big falls in sales to the EU.
"Ultimately, having a European warehouse and distribution system would make a difference but we're not really big enough to do that," Wilson said.
"If you speak to any company, they're finding ways to remain in the EU"
Since the Brexit transition period ended on 31 December 2020, trade between Britain and the EU has plummeted, with exports fr...