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British Brexit plans greeted with scepticism in Borderland

Management at Borderland in Muff, County Donegal are sceptical about British government Brexit plans. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Management at Borderland in Muff, County Donegal are sceptical about British government Brexit plans. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Management at Borderland in Muff, County Donegal are sceptical about British government Brexit plans. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

Management at a landmark border business which takes its very name from what will be the new EU frontier are sceptical about the British government’s proposals on Brexit.

Sinead McLarnon, manager at 'Borderland' outdoor pursuits and clothing outlet store in Muff, County Donegal finds it difficult to see how the plans unveiled yesterday will work.

Less than half a mile from the border and just five miles from Derry city, the store is based in what was originally the 'Borderland' dance hall. A 'dry hall' from the 1950s in which no alcohol was sold, Borderland played host to the biggest showbands of the day. The dancefloor and stage is still visible under rows of clothing racks.

Ms McLarnon said Borderland has proved popular with visitors from both sides of a border that was never an obstacle.

“The border was never an issue for us because there simply just has never been a border; we’ve always had customers from all over.

“One of the biggest draws here for people from north of the border, from Derry is petrol. There are four petrol stations in what is a really small town and we have benefited greatly from that attraction,” Ms McLarnon said.

The Borderland manager said customers could not grasp the idea that the village could soon be on the other side of a major frontier.

“People are fed up with the whole idea of Brexit. People didn’t expect it; I think we all believe somewhere there will be another vote and it won’t happen.”

The current invisible border has benefited Borderland as currency differences meant stock could be bought and sold at competitive prices to northern customers. However, the creation of a border post just yards from their front door is a cause for concern.

“There’s the uncertainty of it. People won’t want hassle. I don’t think it will impact on customers from say Belfast; they’re coming here to Donegal on holidays and will be here but certainly people from Derry, the daily commuters, might not be keen,” Ms McLarnon said.

The British government's proposals that there be no hard border or physical border post was welcome, the Donegal businesswoman said. However, she found it difficult to understand how the proposals would be workable.

“If that happens and the Irish government agrees to it great. If that happens fine but it’s difficult to see,” Ms McLarnon said.