The ongoing uncertainty over Brexit is causing havoc with UK furniture brands' preparations for Milan design week, which starts 10 days after the country is due to leave the European Union.
With Brexit scheduled for 29 March 2019, and a no-deal exit still a real possibility, British designers and manufacturers are fretting over how they will get their products across the English Channel amid potential chaos on both ferry and Eurotunnel routes.
"It is a serious issue," said Sheridan Coakley, director of British furniture brand SCP. "Most people work down to the wire on their designs and people are usually panicking to get their furniture there in the week before the show starts."
Many British companies have decided to avoid showing in Milan altogether this year ? although many of them are not openly blaming their decision on Brexit. SCP is among them. "I think you'll find there are a lot of companies not attending this year, probably not for any reason in particular, and certainly not because of Brexit," Coakley told Dezeen.
Shipping delays could create "bottleneck at Dover"
Milan design week 2019 takes place from 8 to 14 April. As the most important event in the industry calendar, it centres around the Salone del Mobile furniture fair, which every year showcases products by over 2,000 brands.
Outside the main fair, many UK companies showcase their products at venues across the city as part of a programme collectively referred to as ...