Britain runs out of space to stockpile frozen foods as firms panic over No Deal Brexit
Warehouses are booked up for the next six months as fears of a No Deal scenario rise
BRITAIN is running out of space to store frozen and chilled foods amid growing fears of a no deal Brexit, it emerged today.
In an alarming warning industry leaders revealed that the necessary warehouses are now fully booked for the next six months.
Firms were now being turned away following an unprecedented rush over the last few days, according to the Associated Cold Stores & Transport (ACST).
It follows the chaos that engulfed Westminster last week after the publication of Theresa May’s draft Brexit deal, which sparked seven MPs to quit the Government.
Demand is high from food manufacturers who need to start stockpiling food in the event a no deal leads to supply chains between the UK and Europe being disrupted or even halted altogether in March.
Food put in storage isn’t just products that go directly onto the supermarket shelves like pizza or frozen peas - but also crisp manufacturers need to storage to guarantee a supply of potatoes.
The Food Storage and Distribution Federation warned that Britain isn’t set up for stockpiling food but storage space is now fully reserved from January to April - usually the quietest time of the year.
FSDF boss Shane Brennan : “It’s a problem, because food is manufactured or stored on a just-in-time basis, and the system isn’t built for stockpiling.
“But because of Brexit, every business that wants to guarantee its supply into UK shelves is looking for additional warehouse space right now.”
ACST boss Malcolm Johnstone told the newspaper he had started turning businesses away.
He said: “I started getting inquiries two to three months ago, but they reached fever pitch in the last 48 hours.
“There has been a sea change since Wednesday.”
Ian Wright, head of the Food and Drink Federation, said last week’s events in Westminster had cemented the fear among businesses that her deal will fail to get through Parliament.
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He said: “All the arithmetic seems to suggest that it will be impossible for the Prime Minister to get her deal through, so retailers and food manufacturers are continuing with contingency plans.”
Lib Dem MP and Best for Britain supporter Layla Moran said: “The chaos of last week has sent shivers down the spines of businesses around the country. There’s no plan in place for Brexit that commands the support of enough parliamentarians to reassure investors that they should continue creating jobs in this country. That’s bad for the country.
“It’s not good enough that, two and half years into a this shambolic Brexit process, businesses are being forced to trigger contingency plans. Now we find out that we’re running out of warehouse space to house the food we have to stockpile. It would be funny if it weren’t so desperate.”
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