Small Business Case Study: Claire Austin England

Name: Claire Austin

Company: Claire Austin England

Based: Torquay, Devon

Trade: Bridal Accessories 

Trading since: 2011

Stopped selling to the EU?: Yes

Estimate of business lost: 10%

Government communication?: Nothing

First heard about GPSR: End of 2024, through social media 

MP:  Steve Darling – Torbay (Liberal Democrat)

Claire’s story in her own words: 

“UK and America is where I do the most of my trade. I used to post to Ireland but that just became a nightmare since Brexit and anything I try to send they always send it back at customs with no reason as to why. So it’s an absolute nightmare getting things to my brides in Ireland. And then I tried to send something to Spain last year. They wanted so much paperwork it was ridiculous.” 

“I am more comfortable with sending something to Australia than I am to the EU.”

“But for me [finding an authorised representative]? That’s just not another cost that I want to adhere to at the moment when there’s not enough information out there.”

“[Since Brexit] All my materials have gone up. The first thought I had when I heard about this was just, “Oh my God, what else?  Like, are you joking?” I feel like things have been piling on and on and on in the last few years. I went full time with this 4 and a half years ago now, but I have actually for the first time had to get a part time job.”

“I’ve already not got enough hours in the day. Just another faff of paperwork, paperwork, paperwork, paperwork, just to get an order there.”