FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4080859

LEAD IN:

London has always been one of the world's leading lights in the fashion industry - but has Brexit dulled some of its shine?

At the Pure London fashion retail show - and with London Fashion Week on the horizon - brand owners and designers give their views on doing business in Brexit Britain.

STORY-LINE:

On the catwalk at Pure London it's business as usual.

The models strut their stuff to the music and packed crowds squeeze in for a glimpse of the latest trends.

But behind the flash and the glamour - is London still an attractive venue for fashion brands?

With Britain voting to leave the EU, and uncertainty hanging over all sectors of industry, the UK's fashion talent is preparing to weather the storm.

Maggie Song studied fashion in Beijing but came to the UK 13 years ago to make her name in the industry she loves.

In this time she has founded three labels, her most successful brand is Jolie Moi which can be found in some of the UK's largest department stores (John Lewis, Debenhams, House of Fraser).

She considers her business to be small to medium sized. Her clothes are designed in the UK but the materials and production happen in China.

When the result of the Brexit vote was announced she was on a business trip in Beijing and recalls her horror at hearing the news.

"I was shocked (when she heard the Brexit result). I couldn't think anything and also I couldn't speak, so, I was watching the exchange rate on the Internet, I can see the drop, the pound, this dramatic drop to the dollar and immediately I realised how tough it will be for small business," she says.

Song is expecting a tough 2017 as the low value of the pound starts to bite. She expects she will have to lower her margins to absorb the impact of Brexit.

But not everybody is suffering from the falling pound, according to Pure London's show director Julie Driscoll.

"So the exchange rate means for international brands it's really easy for them to enter the UK market, so more than ever before we're seeing international companies, international fashion collections wanting to come to the UK to explore opportunities and indeed this means this is our largest Pure London ever," she says.

One of the foreign fashion brands visiting Pure London for the first time is French jewellery maker Pas Si Sages Bijoux (Not So Wise) from Lyon.

Their funky, Bohemian-inspired jewellery is low/to mid priced and is all designed and produced in France. They are now looking to expand into the British market.

Chloe Chenu, the director of Pas Si Sages Bijoux, demonstrates the latest product - a back necklace.

She believes Brexit has not changed anything in the fashion world and thinks the UK is still a great place to do business... perhaps thanks to the eccentric English style.

"London is always the place for fashion, the most important in the world, even after Brexit, that doesn't change anything. We always come to sell products, English people are always eccentric and they want French products," she says.

It's the same story for Turkish designer Ece Kavran, whose range called Urun features minimalist, classic pieces.

She says London is still top of her list for places to do business because of its pace and willingness to try new brands. She says in France and Italy the market is much slower and more traditional.

"But England is an expandable market, it's forever open to the new idea, to the new brand, and I think that's what makes it, England, very compelling for us," she says.

But fashion is more than just sales and spreadsheets, it's about creating brands - and there is no bigger brand than a country itself. So has brand Britain been tarnished by its decision to leave the EU?

Personal stylist Justyna Szal is at the show to soak up inspiration for new season looks.

She is originally from near Krakow in Poland, but works in London - dressing and making her clients look as on trend as possible.

Szal likes the idea of Brexit and does not feel it has had any negative impact on London as a fashion hub. In fact, she's quite enjoying all the attention, with the eyes of the world turning to Britain.

"No, I haven't found it less interesting. I actually found it more interesting because of the whole situation people are starting to be more interested in the UK and I think actually it's a pleasant advantage and the fashion business hasn't been more in bloom than it is nowadays," she says.

According to an industry report, compiled by Inside Retail, fashion is worth 50 billion UK pounds (approx. 62 billion US dollars) per annum in the UK - the second most important retail sector only behind food.

The British Retail Consortium estimates that in October 2015, online accounted for 26.3 per cent of total clothing sales - even higher for footwear.

The UK is already the world leader in online fashion sales, leading France, Germany, Japan and the USA.

Keely Stocker is the editor of Drapers, a long-running fashion industry magazine.

In a typically British way, she thinks this is a time to keep calm and carry on.

"I think it's definitely a challenging time, mainly because of the uncertainty more than anything else," she says. "But I think those people that are doing well are the ones that are really focusing on their customer, focusing on their product and just getting on with it until we know exactly what that (Brexit) is going to mean."

One of those at the show who is hoping to do just that is Bilguun Brower, owner of Mongolian Kingdom.

He is buying high-end Mongolian woollen products and selling them in the UK. The fall in value of the pound is an issue he will have to contend with in the coming years, but Brower believes there is a strong market for his products in the UK because of its damp, cold climate.

Exhibiting for the first time, he is introducing his new line of yak's wool scarves.

Brower, and the other small British business owners at Pure, will all be hoping the UK can secure strong trade deals as quickly as possible.

Pure London is one of the leading fashion retail shows in the Europe, with over 11,000 buyers visiting the show between February 12-14.

London, UK - 12 February 2017

1. Mid of woman on catwalk in furry coat and sunglasses

2. Various of woman in camel coat with long scarf on catwalk

3. Cutaway of woman taking photo of catwalk

4. Mid of woman in grey dress with metal bead shoulder attachments

5. Various set up shots of Maggie Song, owner of labels, Jolie Moi and Emily & Me, taking red dress from peg

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Maggie Song, British fashion labels owner (Jolie Moi and Emily & Me):

"I was shocked (when she heard the Brexit result). I couldn't think anything and also I couldn't speak, so, I was watching the exchange rate on the internet, I can see the drop, the pound, this dramatic drop to the dollar and immediately I realised how tough it will be for small business."

7. Mid of show visitors walking

8. Mid of woman hanging jacket

9. Various of man looking at shoes

10. Various set up shots of Pure London show director, Julie Driscoll looking at scarf

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Julie Driscoll, Pure London show director:

"So the exchange rate means for international brands it's really easy for them to enter the UK market, so more than ever before we're seeing international companies, international fashion collections wanting to come to the UK to explore opportunities and indeed that means this is our largest Pure London ever."

12. Pan right of Pas Si Sages Bijoux jewellery from Lyon, France

13. Pull focus of bracelets

14. Tilt up from bracelets to earrings

15. Tilt up of back necklace

16. Mid of Chloe Chenu demonstrating how the back necklace is worn

17. Close details of necklace

18. SOUNDBITE: (French) Chloe Chenu, director, Pas Si Sages Bijoux:

"London is always the place for fashion, the most important in the world, even after Brexit, that doesn't change anything. We always come to sell products, English people are always eccentric and they want French products."

19. Close tilt up of two-tone leather skirt by Urun (from Turkey)

20. Close pan left of designer Ece Kavran showing colleague her new skirt design

21. Mid of same

22. Close of Kavran

23. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ece Kavran, designer, Urun:

"But England is an expandable market, it's forever open to the new idea, to the new brand, and I think that's what makes it, England, very compelling for us."

24. Wide of woman in gothic clothing on catwalk

25. Close of woman photographing the show

26. Wide pull focus of crowd on smartphones watching the show

27. Tilt up of model during gothic show

28. Various set up shots of personal stylist Justyna Szal

29. SOUNDBITE: (English) Justyna Szal, personal stylist:

"No, I haven't found it less interesting. I actually found it more interesting because of the whole situation people actually are starting to be more interested in the UK and I think actually it's a pleasant advantage and the fashion business hasn't been more in bloom than it is nowadays."

30. Various set up shots of fashion editor Keely Stocker looking at show

31. SOUNDBITE: (English) Keely Stocker, editor of Drapers magazine:

"I think it's definitely a challenging time, mainly because of the uncertainty more than anything else but I think those people that are doing well are the ones that are really focusing on their customer, focusing on their product and just getting on with it until we know exactly what that (Brexit) is going to mean."

32. Close pull from Mongolian/UK flag to Bilguun Brower, owner of Mongolian Kingdom

33. Close tilt down to yak

34. Various of Brower looking at Mongolian yak scarf

35. Various of fashion show with models in red dresses

LEAD IN:

London has always been one of the world's leading lights in the fashion industry - but has Brexit dulled some of its shine?

At the Pure London fashion retail show - and with London Fashion Week on the horizon - brand owners and designers give their views on doing business in Brexit Britain.

STORY-LINE:

On the catwalk at Pure London it's business as usual.

The models strut their stuff to the music and packed crowds squeeze in for a glimpse of the latest trends.

But behind the flash and the glamour - is London still an attractive venue for fashion brands?

With Britain voting to leave the EU, and uncertainty hanging over all sectors of industry, the UK's fashion talent is preparing to weather the storm.

Maggie Song studied fashion in Beijing but came to the UK 13 years ago to make her name in the industry she loves.

In this time she has founded three labels, her most successful brand is Jolie Moi which can be found in some of the UK's largest department stores (John Lewis, Debenhams, House of Fraser).

She considers her business to be small to medium sized. Her clothes are designed in the UK but the materials and production happen in China.

When the result of the Brexit vote was announced she was on a business trip in Beijing and recalls her horror at hearing the news.

"I was shocked (when she heard the Brexit result). I couldn't think anything and also I couldn't speak, so, I was watching the exchange rate on the Internet, I can see the drop, the pound, this dramatic drop to the dollar and immediately I realised how tough it will be for small business," she says.

Song is expecting a tough 2017 as the low value of the pound starts to bite. She expects she will have to lower her margins to absorb the impact of Brexit.

But not everybody is suffering from the falling pound, according to Pure London's show director Julie Driscoll.

"So the exchange rate means for international brands it's really easy for them to enter the UK market, so more than ever before we're seeing international companies, international fashion collections wanting to come to the UK to explore opportunities and indeed this means this is our largest Pure London ever," she says.

One of the foreign fashion brands visiting Pure London for the first time is French jewellery maker Pas Si Sages Bijoux (Not So Wise) from Lyon.

Their funky, Bohemian-inspired jewellery is low/to mid priced and is all designed and produced in France. They are now looking to expand into the British market.

Chloe Chenu, the director of Pas Si Sages Bijoux, demonstrates the latest product - a back necklace.

She believes Brexit has not changed anything in the fashion world and thinks the UK is still a great place to do business... perhaps thanks to the eccentric English style.

"London is always the place for fashion, the most important in the world, even after Brexit, that doesn't change anything. We always come to sell products, English people are always eccentric and they want French products," she says.

It's the same story for Turkish designer Ece Kavran, whose range called Urun features minimalist, classic pieces.

She says London is still top of her list for places to do business because of its pace and willingness to try new brands. She says in France and Italy the market is much slower and more traditional.

"But England is an expandable market, it's forever open to the new idea, to the new brand, and I think that's what makes it, England, very compelling for us," she says.

But fashion is more than just sales and spreadsheets, it's about creating brands - and there is no bigger brand than a country itself. So has brand Britain been tarnished by its decision to leave the EU?

Personal stylist Justyna Szal is at the show to soak up inspiration for new season looks.

She is originally from near Krakow in Poland, but works in London - dressing and making her clients look as on trend as possible.

Szal likes the idea of Brexit and does not feel it has had any negative impact on London as a fashion hub. In fact, she's quite enjoying all the attention, with the eyes of the world turning to Britain.

"No, I haven't found it less interesting. I actually found it more interesting because of the whole situation people are starting to be more interested in the UK and I think actually it's a pleasant advantage and the fashion business hasn't been more in bloom than it is nowadays," she says.

According to an industry report, compiled by Inside Retail, fashion is worth 50 billion UK pounds (approx. 62 billion US dollars) per annum in the UK - the second most important retail sector only behind food.

The British Retail Consortium estimates that in October 2015, online accounted for 26.3 per cent of total clothing sales - even higher for footwear.

The UK is already the world leader in online fashion sales, leading France, Germany, Japan and the USA.

Keely Stocker is the editor of Drapers, a long-running fashion industry magazine.

In a typically British way, she thinks this is a time to keep calm and carry on.

"I think it's definitely a challenging time, mainly because of the uncertainty more than anything else," she says. "But I think those people that are doing well are the ones that are really focusing on their customer, focusing on their product and just getting on with it until we know exactly what that (Brexit) is going to mean."

One of those at the show who is hoping to do just that is Bilguun Brower, owner of Mongolian Kingdom.

He is buying high-end Mongolian woollen products and selling them in the UK. The fall in value of the pound is an issue he will have to contend with in the coming years, but Brower believes there is a strong market for his products in the UK because of its damp, cold climate.

Exhibiting for the first time, he is introducing his new line of yak's wool scarves.

Brower, and the other small British business owners at Pure, will all be hoping the UK can secure strong trade deals as quickly as possible.

Pure London is one of the leading fashion retail shows in the Europe, with over 11,000 buyers visiting the show between February 12-14.

London, UK - 12 February 2017

1. Mid of woman on catwalk in furry coat and sunglasses

2. Various of woman in camel coat with long scarf on catwalk

3. Cutaway of woman taking photo of catwalk

4. Mid of woman in grey dress with metal bead shoulder attachments

5. Various set up shots of Maggie Song, owner of labels, Jolie Moi and Emily & Me, taking red dress from peg

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Maggie Song, British fashion labels owner (Jolie Moi and Emily & Me):

"I was shocked (when she heard the Brexit result). I couldn't think anything and also I couldn't speak, so, I was watching the exchange rate on the internet, I can see the drop, the pound, this dramatic drop to the dollar and immediately I realised how tough it will be for small business."

7. Mid of show visitors walking

8. Mid of woman hanging jacket

9. Various of man looking at shoes

10. Various set up shots of Pure London show director, Julie Driscoll looking at scarf

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Julie Driscoll, Pure London show director:

"So the exchange rate means for international brands it's really easy for them to enter the UK market, so more than ever before we're seeing international companies, international fashion collections wanting to come to the UK to explore opportunities and indeed that means this is our largest Pure London ever."

12. Pan right of Pas Si Sages Bijoux jewellery from Lyon, France

13. Pull focus of bracelets

14. Tilt up from bracelets to earrings

15. Tilt up of back necklace

16. Mid of Chloe Chenu demonstrating how the back necklace is worn

17. Close details of necklace

18. SOUNDBITE: (French) Chloe Chenu, director, Pas Si Sages Bijoux:

"London is always the place for fashion, the most important in the world, even after Brexit, that doesn't change anything. We always come to sell products, English people are always eccentric and they want French products."

19. Close tilt up of two-tone leather skirt by Urun (from Turkey)

20. Close pan left of designer Ece Kavran showing colleague her new skirt design

21. Mid of same

22. Close of Kavran

23. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ece Kavran, designer, Urun:

"But England is an expandable market, it's forever open to the new idea, to the new brand, and I think that's what makes it, England, very compelling for us."

24. Wide of woman in gothic clothing on catwalk

25. Close of woman photographing the show

26. Wide pull focus of crowd on smartphones watching the show

27. Tilt up of model during gothic show

28. Various set up shots of personal stylist Justyna Szal

29. SOUNDBITE: (English) Justyna Szal, personal stylist:

"No, I haven't found it less interesting. I actually found it more interesting because of the whole situation people actually are starting to be more interested in the UK and I think actually it's a pleasant advantage and the fashion business hasn't been more in bloom than it is nowadays."

30. Various set up shots of fashion editor Keely Stocker looking at show

31. SOUNDBITE: (English) Keely Stocker, editor of Drapers magazine:

"I think it's definitely a challenging time, mainly because of the uncertainty more than anything else but I think those people that are doing well are the ones that are really focusing on their customer, focusing on their product and just getting on with it until we know exactly what that (Brexit) is going to mean."

32. Close pull from Mongolian/UK flag to Bilguun Brower, owner of Mongolian Kingdom

33. Close tilt down to yak

34. Various of Brower looking at Mongolian yak scarf

35. Various of fashion show with models in red dresses

Author Thomas Harding is in the process of doing what the descendants of many Holocaust victims would find unimaginable: applying for a German passport.

When Britain voted to leave the European Union in June, the 48-year-old had to make a decision that was never necessary before the referendum - should he request the restoration of German citizenship stripped from his family by the Third Reich? He needed only a few hours to make up his mind.

“This is more than the practical, this is also about something for us, or for me, it's about something spiritual, it's about reconciliation,’’ he said. “It's about acknowledging the truth of the horrors of the past but also about trying to build a better future together, and as a European, that's what I hope to do."

It is one of the complicated realities of the UK’s pending divorce from the EU that many Britons whose ancestors came from other parts of Europe are claiming citizenship in other member states so they can retain ties to the Continent. Inquiries about passports are up at the German, Austrian, French and Polish embassies.

Some want to retain the ability to travel easily from country to country or maintain business ties. Others just want to be part of the European Union.

But for Jews whose families fled Germany to escape Adolf Hitler, the decision means re-examining long-held beliefs about history and the country that once persecuted them.

The children and grandchildren of Jewish refugees are taking advantage of a law that allows the descendants of people persecuted by the Nazis to regain the citizenship that was stripped from them in the 1930s and 1940s. More than 400 Britons have sought information about the law since the June 23 referendum, and German authorities have received at least 100 formal applications, compared with about 20 annually in recent years.

Michael Newman, chief executive of the Association of Jewish Refugees, said Brexit has fuelled interest in German citizenship, but it’s hard to know how many people will actually apply. Jews are now able to consider such a step because Germany has made huge strides in addressing the past, creating a culture of remembrance, he said.

“No amount of blood money or memorials will satisfy or suffice for some people but in terms of addressing its past and owning up to it and looking into things, it's done much that many other countries haven't,’’ said Newman.

Many of those seeking restoration of their citizenship don’t intend to live in Germany, but want the freedom to travel and work in EU nations.

Ben Lewis, a 49-year-old documentary filmmaker, is among those who would like to regain German citizenship.

Lewis, whose film and production company has worked for years on the continent, sees the potential of Brexit as an abomination, particularly the anti-immigrant sentiment that influenced many people to vote to leave.

“I just want to take a firm stance, a documented stance etched in acid on stone, that I object to Brexit," he said.

The decision for many might have been prompted by Brexit, but had been years in the making for some. Harding, for one, has long been coming to terms with his German past, a journey documented in part in his book, “The House by the Lake.’’

The way Harding sees it, Germany is now showing leadership by taking in over a million refugees.

As the result of the EU referendum became clear on the morning of June 24, Harding was on the phone to the German embassy to inquire about citizenship.

It’s logical, he says, for Jews to cling to the EU, which was created to build international links that would make another European war impossible.

“It was much less about saying goodbye to Britain than saying hello to Europe," he said.

London - 5 October 2016

1. Pan down from German and European Union flags to entrance of German Embassy in London

2. Various of flags

3. Mid of author Thomas Harding sitting on grass looking at passport that belonged to his German Jewish grandfather

4. Close of Harding's face

5. Various of passport

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Thomas Harding, author, in the process of applying for restoration of German passport following Brexit vote:

"This is more than the practical, this is also about something for us, or for me, it's about something spiritual, it's about reconciliation. It's about acknowledging the truth of the horrors of the past but also about trying to build a better future together, and as a European, that's what I hope to do."

7. Cutaway passport and photo of Harding's grandparents

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Thomas Harding, author, in the process of applying for restoration of German passport following Brexit vote:

"I think what has happened to me is I have become much more open towards Germany and at the same time following Brexit, I realised that there was going to be a very real loss. It was likely that me and my family would be unable to live and work in 27 countries in Europe and given the fact that I didn't have to give up my British passport, I didn't have to live in Germany by necessity or learn German, show I could speak German, it didn't seem like there was anything to lose and so for me, it was much less about saying goodbye to Britain than saying hello to Europe."

9. Harding flicking through passport

10. Mid of exhibit of Jewish Museum in London

11. Soft focus, yellow star that Jews were forced to wear in Nazi Germany

12. Set up of documentary maker Ben Lewis

13. Close of Lewis looking at museum exhibit

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Ben Lewis, documentary maker, in the process of applying for restoration of German passport following Brexit vote:

"Well, it was immediately after Brexit I thought the restoration of German citizenship was something that I wanted, because before Brexit I was part of the EU anyway. I was a European, I was deeply engaged in German culture from the age of 14 when I first started learning German, and in a way my whole life was orientated around creating links around rebuilding, if you like, as a Jew, links between myself, in Britain and German culture."

15. Cutaway hands

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Ben Lewis, documentary maker, in the process of applying for restoration of German passport following Brexit vote:

"I have many motivations for wanting to get German citizenship. I am thinking a lot about my child, I want him to have the same advantages in life that I had, you know, to be able to play on a European field. I've worked all over Europe in my life. I love Berlin - I could imagine living there. Perhaps that would happen in the future. And I just want to take a firm stance, a documented stance, something etched in acid on stone, that I object to Brexit."

17. Set up shot of Michael Newman, chief executive of the Association of Jewish Refugees

18. Newman typing

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Newman, chief executive of the Association of Jewish Refugees:

"Well I think this is uppermost in the minds of the government that they are not going to walk away from any post Holocaust responsibilities and I think most people would look at what Germany has done since the Second World War in terms of addressing its past, the culture of remembrance, the educational resources, it's committed to teaching about the holocaust and see that what it has done has been leading the way and if you look at issues like restitution, archive, opening archives, documentation centres, even opening and creating museums, they are, they're leading the way in many respects in dealing with their history. It remains of course very subjective because no amount of blood, money or memorials will satisfy or suffice for some people but in terms of addressing its past and owning up to it and looking into things, it's done much that many other countries haven't."

20. Wide of German Embassy entrance for public

21. Close of entrance

22. Sign reading 'Welcome' in German and English

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4053754

LEAD IN:

The UK jewellery market has not lost its sparkle despite the Brexit vote, according to experts at the International Jewellery London show.

A weak pound, innovative design and a diverse marketplace for suppliers are just some of the reasons the UK jewellery market is thriving.

STORY-LINE:

Sparkle and shine at the International Jewellery London show.

Precious gemstones drip from the stands at this important jewellery trade event.

The diamonds and gold on show haven't lost any of their shine or lustre, but what about the jewellery market in post Brexit Britain?

Despite the vote to leave the European Union earlier this year, the industry reports it has not felt any repercussions.

Michael Rawlinson is chief executive of The National Association of Jewellers, the main industry body in the UK.

He says: "The British market actually has responded quite well post Brexit at the moment, people have some level of certainty, even if it is leaving the European Union, so we've seen a strengthening of trade in the last couple of months."

With innovative designers continuing to emerge from the UK's most important jewellery schools in London and Birmingham, he believes 'brand Britain' is as strong as ever.

"The challenge for the UK jewellery market post-Brexit is to actually promote made in Britain, we have a tremendous heritage here of craftsmanship and quality and we need to make sure that the product we make is identifiable around the world very clearly, that it's originated from and has been made in Britain," he says.

A good example of this innovation is London-based designer Joanna Boyen of Biiju.

She is proudly showing off her new explosion ring, which she claims is her own unique design and seen nowhere else.

"So they're called explosion rings and what's special about them is that there are 21 individual briolettes, that's cut with multiple facets all over them, and we thread each one on individually so that they move, they shimmer when you move and catch the light," says Boyen.

And the future of jewellery design talent in the UK looks to be in safe hands.

The show is promoting the stars of tomorrow in its section Bright Young Gems.

Katy Tromans just graduated from Birmingham City University with first class honours. She is now showcasing her latest collection of fairytale inspired silver rings.

This silver ring is hidden inside a model of Rapunzel's tower, which doubles-up as an ornament.

"So the main idea is that it's a silver ring and you have somewhere to keep it when you're not wearing it so it becomes part of a sculpture. So they all just come apart, so it comes off, then you can take the ring out and you can wear it, then you can put it back together and keep it on your side as an ornament, so it's that kind of thing," says Tromans.

She also has Alice in Wonderland and Moby Dick inspired creations.

But are the international jewellery makers and suppliers buying the brand Britain message?

High-end jeweller Sokolov from Russia is attending the show to launch its new Kaleidoscope range.

Global sales director Andrew German says Brexit has not had a negative impact on Sokolov's approach to the British market.

"Despite Brexit, the British market - in the global sense of this word - is still a part of the larger European market. The wealth of British people is still increasing and it allows demand for jewellery to rise as well. And British people want to try new things, new brands, some novelties and innovation in this industry. This is why we believe for the international players it's a good chance to get into the (British) market," he says.

Business activity in Britain rebounded in August, injecting some optimism into the debate on how Britain is faring after the vote to leave the European Union.

The purchasing managers' index jumped to 53.2 points, reversing a record fall to 47.4 in July experienced after the June 23 referendum.

But the index showed the Eurozone lost some economic momentum in August, largely because of a slowdown in Germany - an unexpected fall.

According to the show's organisers, the Brexit vote has done little to dissuade international exhibitors from attending International Jewellery London.

Event director Sam Willoughby says the show features exhibitors from Brazil, Denmark, Russia, Germany, Portugal, Australia, Spain, Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands.

"So this is the first show since Brexit and whilst we've always got concern about what is going to happen in the future, and we can't predict that, we've seen just as many international exhibitors and visitors than we've ever had before. In fact, internationally we've had people representing France, like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, people as far away as Russia and Middle East, all wanting to attend a show like this," she says.

"The reason being, for a supplier coming into an event like this, being able to enter into Europe through UK is actually quite an easy process to do because you've got so many channels to actually be able to go and sell, whether it's an independent boutique, multiple retailer, department store, gallery, it's quite endless and that gives them a good route into the market and into the rest of Europe, whether we are part of the EU or not."

Of course, a weak pound is also likely to be influencing those who are ready to spend thousands of pounds on high-end jewels.

But to prove it's not all about the bling at International Jewellery London, British designer Joanna Bury is polishing her perspex - that's right, plastic.

Bury used to design lingerie but recently switched to jewellery. The lacy, filigree designs are laser cut into perspex and have echoes of the fabrics she used to work with.

In the future, Bury hopes to start using more 3D printing technology to make it easier for her to produce her designs and sell them around the globe.

International Jewellery London runs from 4 to 6 September 2016.

London, UK - 4 September, 2016

1. Close of ring

2. Mid of women looking at ring

3. Close pan left from woman to emerald earring

4. Zoom to jewellery display

5. Pull focus of large diamond

6. Various set ups of Michael Rawlinson, chief executive of The National Association of Jewellers

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Michael Rawlinson, chief executive, The National Association of Jewellers:

"The British market actually has responded quite well post Brexit at the moment, people have some level of certainty, even if it is leaving the European Union, so we've seen a strengthening of trade in the last couple of months."

8. Various of jewellery

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Michael Rawlinson, chief executive, The National Association of Jewellers:

"The challenges for the UK jewellery market post-Brexit is to actually promote made in Britain, we have a tremendous heritage here of craftsmanship and quality and we need to make sure that the product we make here is identifiable around the world, very clearly, that it's originated from and has been made in Britain."

10. Mid of Joanna Boyen showing her explosion ring

11. Close of blue topaz explosion ring by Biiju

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Joanna Boyen, director, Biiju jewellery:

"So they're called explosion rings and what's special about them is that there are 21 individual briolettes, that's cut with multiple facets all over them, and we thread each one on individually so that they move, they shimmer when you move and catch the light."

13. Close of explosion ring

14. Various set up shots of Bright Young Gem Katy Tromans demonstrating her Rapunzel tower ring

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Katy Tromans, Bright Young Gem, Birmingham City University:

"So the main idea is that it's a silver ring and you have somewhere to keep it when you're not wearing it so it becomes part of a sculpture. So they all just come apart, so it comes off, then you can take the ring out and you can wear it, then you can put it back together and keep it on your side as an ornament, so it's that kind of thing."

16. Close of Tromans' Alice in Wonderland ring ornament

17. Close of Tromans' Moby Dick ring

18. Wide of Sokolov stand

19. Various set ups of Andrew German talking with colleague and looking at Sokolov's new Kaleidoscope range

20. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Andrew German, global sales director, Sokolov Jewellery:

"Despite Brexit, the British market - in the global sense of this word - is still a part of the larger European market. The wealth of British people is still increasing and it allows demand for jewellery to rise as well. And British people want to try new things, new brands, some novelties and innovation in this industry. This is why we believe for the international players it's a good chance to get into the (British) market."

21. Various set up shots of event director Sam Willoughby looking at jewellery by young British designer Vicky Lew

22. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sam Willoughby, event director, International Jewellery London:

"So this is the first show since Brexit and whilst we've always got concern about what is going to happen in the future, and we can't predict that, we've seen just as many international exhibitors and visitors than we've ever had before. In fact, internationally we've had people representing France, like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, people as far away as Russia and Middle East, all wanting to attend a show like this. The reason being, for a supplier coming into an event like this, being able to enter into Europe through UK is actually quite an easy process to do because you've got so many channels to actually be able to go and sell, whether it's an independent boutique, multiple retailer, department store, gallery, it's quite endless and that gives them a good route into the market and into the rest of Europe, whether we are part of the EU or not."

23. Various of designer Joanna Bury with her perspex jewellery

LEAD IN:

The UK jewellery market has not lost its sparkle despite the Brexit vote, according to experts at the International Jewellery London show.

A weak pound, innovative design and a diverse marketplace for suppliers are just some of the reasons the UK jewellery market is thriving.

STORY-LINE:

Sparkle and shine at the International Jewellery London show.

Precious gemstones drip from the stands at this important jewellery trade event.

The diamonds and gold on show haven't lost any of their shine or lustre, but what about the jewellery market in post Brexit Britain?

Despite the vote to leave the European Union earlier this year, the industry reports it has not felt any repercussions.

Michael Rawlinson is chief executive of The National Association of Jewellers, the main industry body in the UK.

He says: "The British market actually has responded quite well post Brexit at the moment, people have some level of certainty, even if it is leaving the European Union, so we've seen a strengthening of trade in the last couple of months."

With innovative designers continuing to emerge from the UK's most important jewellery schools in London and Birmingham, he believes 'brand Britain' is as strong as ever.

"The challenge for the UK jewellery market post-Brexit is to actually promote made in Britain, we have a tremendous heritage here of craftsmanship and quality and we need to make sure that the product we make is identifiable around the world very clearly, that it's originated from and has been made in Britain," he says.

A good example of this innovation is London-based designer Joanna Boyen of Biiju.

She is proudly showing off her new explosion ring, which she claims is her own unique design and seen nowhere else.

"So they're called explosion rings and what's special about them is that there are 21 individual briolettes, that's cut with multiple facets all over them, and we thread each one on individually so that they move, they shimmer when you move and catch the light," says Boyen.

And the future of jewellery design talent in the UK looks to be in safe hands.

The show is promoting the stars of tomorrow in its section Bright Young Gems.

Katy Tromans just graduated from Birmingham City University with first class honours. She is now showcasing her latest collection of fairytale inspired silver rings.

This silver ring is hidden inside a model of Rapunzel's tower, which doubles-up as an ornament.

"So the main idea is that it's a silver ring and you have somewhere to keep it when you're not wearing it so it becomes part of a sculpture. So they all just come apart, so it comes off, then you can take the ring out and you can wear it, then you can put it back together and keep it on your side as an ornament, so it's that kind of thing," says Tromans.

She also has Alice in Wonderland and Moby Dick inspired creations.

But are the international jewellery makers and suppliers buying the brand Britain message?

High-end jeweller Sokolov from Russia is attending the show to launch its new Kaleidoscope range.

Global sales director Andrew German says Brexit has not had a negative impact on Sokolov's approach to the British market.

"Despite Brexit, the British market - in the global sense of this word - is still a part of the larger European market. The wealth of British people is still increasing and it allows demand for jewellery to rise as well. And British people want to try new things, new brands, some novelties and innovation in this industry. This is why we believe for the international players it's a good chance to get into the (British) market," he says.

Business activity in Britain rebounded in August, injecting some optimism into the debate on how Britain is faring after the vote to leave the European Union.

The purchasing managers' index jumped to 53.2 points, reversing a record fall to 47.4 in July experienced after the June 23 referendum.

But the index showed the Eurozone lost some economic momentum in August, largely because of a slowdown in Germany - an unexpected fall.

According to the show's organisers, the Brexit vote has done little to dissuade international exhibitors from attending International Jewellery London.

Event director Sam Willoughby says the show features exhibitors from Brazil, Denmark, Russia, Germany, Portugal, Australia, Spain, Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands.

"So this is the first show since Brexit and whilst we've always got concern about what is going to happen in the future, and we can't predict that, we've seen just as many international exhibitors and visitors than we've ever had before. In fact, internationally we've had people representing France, like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, people as far away as Russia and Middle East, all wanting to attend a show like this," she says.

"The reason being, for a supplier coming into an event like this, being able to enter into Europe through UK is actually quite an easy process to do because you've got so many channels to actually be able to go and sell, whether it's an independent boutique, multiple retailer, department store, gallery, it's quite endless and that gives them a good route into the market and into the rest of Europe, whether we are part of the EU or not."

Of course, a weak pound is also likely to be influencing those who are ready to spend thousands of pounds on high-end jewels.

But to prove it's not all about the bling at International Jewellery London, British designer Joanna Bury is polishing her perspex - that's right, plastic.

Bury used to design lingerie but recently switched to jewellery. The lacy, filigree designs are laser cut into perspex and have echoes of the fabrics she used to work with.

In the future, Bury hopes to start using more 3D printing technology to make it easier for her to produce her designs and sell them around the globe.

International Jewellery London runs from 4 to 6 September 2016.

AP Television

London, UK - 4 September, 2016

1. Close of ring

2. Mid of women looking at ring

3. Close pan left from woman to emerald earring

4. Zoom to jewellery display

5. Pull focus of large diamond

6. Various set ups of Michael Rawlinson, chief executive of The National Association of Jewellers

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Michael Rawlinson, chief executive, The National Association of Jewellers:

"The British market actually has responded quite well post Brexit at the moment, people have some level of certainty, even if it is leaving the European Union, so we've seen a strengthening of trade in the last couple of months."

8. Various of jewellery

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Michael Rawlinson, chief executive, The National Association of Jewellers:

"The challenges for the UK jewellery market post-Brexit is to actually promote made in Britain, we have a tremendous heritage here of craftsmanship and quality and we need to make sure that the product we make here is identifiable around the world, very clearly, that it's originated from and has been made in Britain."

10. Mid of Joanna Boyen showing her explosion ring

11. Close of blue topaz explosion ring by Biiju

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Joanna Boyen, director, Biiju jewellery:

"So they're called explosion rings and what's special about them is that there are 21 individual briolettes, that's cut with multiple facets all over them, and we thread each one on individually so that they move, they shimmer when you move and catch the light."

13. Close of explosion ring

14. Various set up shots of Bright Young Gem Katy Tromans demonstrating her Rapunzel tower ring

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Katy Tromans, Bright Young Gem, Birmingham City University:

"So the main idea is that it's a silver ring and you have somewhere to keep it when you're not wearing it so it becomes part of a sculpture. So they all just come apart, so it comes off, then you can take the ring out and you can wear it, then you can put it back together and keep it on your side as an ornament, so it's that kind of thing."

16. Close of Tromans' Alice in Wonderland ring ornament

17. Close of Tromans' Moby Dick ring

18. Wide of Sokolov stand

19. Various set ups of Andrew German talking with colleague and looking at Sokolov's new Kaleidoscope range

20. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Andrew German, global sales director, Sokolov Jewellery:

"Despite Brexit, the British market - in the global sense of this word - is still a part of the larger European market. The wealth of British people is still increasing and it allows demand for jewellery to rise as well. And British people want to try new things, new brands, some novelties and innovation in this industry. This is why we believe for the international players it's a good chance to get into the (British) market."

21. Various set up shots of event director Sam Willoughby looking at jewellery by young British designer Vicky Lew

22. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sam Willoughby, event director, International Jewellery London:

"So this is the first show since Brexit and whilst we've always got concern about what is going to happen in the future, and we can't predict that, we've seen just as many international exhibitors and visitors than we've ever had before. In fact, internationally we've had people representing France, like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, people as far away as Russia and Middle East, all wanting to attend a show like this. The reason being, for a supplier coming into an event like this, being able to enter into Europe through UK is actually quite an easy process to do because you've got so many channels to actually be able to go and sell, whether it's an independent boutique, multiple retailer, department store, gallery, it's quite endless and that gives them a good route into the market and into the rest of Europe, whether we are part of the EU or not."

23. Various of designer Joanna Bury with her perspex jewellery

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4038463

LEAD IN:

UK wine industry experts are eyeing the upcoming vote on whether to leave the European Union with mixed feelings.

With producers and suppliers heavily reliant on pan-European trade, many remain unsure how Brexit will impact upon business.

STORY-LINE:

Sparkling wine on a summer's day in the English capital.

Glistening flutes and bottles in abundance, and a crowd of happy lunchtime drinkers add to the atmosphere of excitement and discovery, along with an impromptu game of ping pong.

It must be London Wine Week.

This is the third year of the festival, and this year is the most popular to date.

Festival director Emma Murphy says "It's the largest self-guided wine tasting that there is across London. It's kind of the only event of its kind that we have over here. So we work with 125 bars, restaurants, independent merchants who all get involved" .

But although these flutes of fizz are English sparkling wine, much of the wine the festival goers here are tasting is from EU member states such as France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Germany.

The June 23 referendum on whether to quit the European Union is fast approaching. So is this something the industry should fear?

"I wouldn't have said so," says Murphy.

"Wine trade has been going for long enough, even long before the euro, so I wouldn't have thought that would make much difference to be honest with you. Hopefully not anyway."

At the festival hub on London's Devonshire Square, there are pop-up bars featuring wines from across Europe.

These two young graduate trainees are enjoying wines from Portugal, and with their festival wristband, it costs them just five British Pounds for a flight of three.

Oscar Stenbom and Anna Rogers both agree that things may well be different if Britain leaves the union.

"If it's more expensive for them to send the wine here, if there's more tariffs, then yeah I guess it would be," says Anna, while Oscar is concerned about regulation and labelling:

"It would also be more difficult to know what you are drinking because there won't be as many restrictions on labelling the wine based on where it's actually from and the grape it's actually come from."

The New Street wine shop has been taken over by the wine festival. They sell wines from all over the world but today they are holding a tasting featuring wines from Ribera del Duero in northern Spain.

Most wine drinkers know about the region of Rioja, but Bettina Lemm is informing these festival goers about the region she represents.

"I think they (wines of Ribera del Duero) are still an emerging market, especially in the UK. The UK is an important market for Ribera del Duero, it's the seventh-largest export market for Ribera del Duero but I think that we're still establishing ourselves."

But if the UK is an important export market, is Brexit going to throw the proverbial spanner into the works? Lemm doesn't seem too worried "I think at the moment we're pretty confident as we've seen year to year that exports have grown. I think that's going to continue and I don't think it's a worry that we have at the moment," she says.

Wine used to have a rather old fashioned reputation and a comparatively elderly demographic, but this has changed enormously in recent years.

The prevalence of wine clubs popping up in the UK is an indicator of wine's increasing popularity.

Tom Harrow of Honest Grapes explains why this is "I think this is because people want to engage more with what's in the bottle. It's not just liquid, they want to know the stories behind it, they want to meet the people involved. And there's the sociable aspect, you know wine is fundamentally something which we do with other people," he says.

With 125 venues across the metropolis taking part in this festival, there's plenty of opportunity to enjoy it with friends.

But with such enthusiasm for wine spreading across the country, June 23 could bring disruption, according to Harrow "It's fair to say that we're a bit concerned about the possibilities of Brexit, I think the rising price of the euro against the pound will have a serious effect on quality wine. At the moment more than 60 percent of wine that comes into the UK is shipped in massive great tankers and bottled over here and that's not something we get involved with. But that becomes the only affordable way if the pound plummets against the euro. So I think that it won't be a good thing initially for the wine consumer because the prices of these small artisan wines will go up" .

However, the future might be bright in other, unexpected ways.

"All the English wine makers that I speak to say we are half a degree away from being a perfect climate for sparkling wines at least," says Harrow, and with apologies to climate change icon Al Gore, he adds that "global warming is a good thing for the UK sparkling wine trade."

Reports by the WSTA (Wine and Spirit Trade Association) suggest there is still some way to go as the UK comes in at number six on the list of sales of sparkling wine by origin - but it's rising year on year.

600 million bottles of wine are bottled in the UK.

This makes the UK wine market the sixth largest in the world, generating 173 billion British pounds of economic activity, according to the WSTA. 10 billion British pounds are made through sales.

Also being showcased here is one of the new kids on the alcohol block, Regal Rogue Vermouth.

According to brand founder Mark Ward, vermouth, by definition, is 75 percent wine. It must have wormwood and it must have an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 15 to 24 percent. These three things have to be in place for a producer to put vermouth on the bottle or it flouts recent EU regulations.

Ward, who was brought up in hospitality, began the project in Australia where he worked closely with top Australian chefs who introduced him to indigenous herbs and spices.

"It seemed like a really obvious thing to do, marrying the herbs and spices with this abundance of Australian wine to create a New World style of vermouth. And you know the tradition of vermouth is really led by the European markets. You know, Italian, French, now Spanish - but now there are vermouths coming out of America, the UK, Germany and obviously Australia. So pretty much anywhere where you find wine now, you will find a vermouth of some sort." he says.

Ward is attempting to educate the wine drinking market which, he believes, is mostly unaware of the fact that vermouth is fundamentally a wine.

This can only be helped by a new pop up for 2016, the Vermouth Bar.

The parent company of London Wine Week is the aptly named "Drink Up London", and they're already preparing for the 2017 event - Brexit or no Brexit.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4038463

LEAD IN:

UK wine industry experts are eyeing the upcoming vote on whether to leave the European Union with mixed feelings.

With producers and suppliers heavily reliant on pan-European trade, many remain unsure how Brexit will impact upon business.

STORY-LINE:

Sparkling wine on a summer's day in the English capital.

Glistening flutes and bottles in abundance, and a crowd of happy lunchtime drinkers add to the atmosphere of excitement and discovery, along with an impromptu game of ping pong.

It must be London Wine Week.

This is the third year of the festival, and this year is the most popular to date.

Festival director Emma Murphy says "It's the largest self-guided wine tasting that there is across London. It's kind of the only event of its kind that we have over here. So we work with 125 bars, restaurants, independent merchants who all get involved" .

But although these flutes of fizz are English sparkling wine, much of the wine the festival goers here are tasting is from EU member states such as France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Germany.

The June 23 referendum on whether to quit the European Union is fast approaching. So is this something the industry should fear?

"I wouldn't have said so," says Murphy.

"Wine trade has been going for long enough, even long before the euro, so I wouldn't have thought that would make much difference to be honest with you. Hopefully not anyway."

At the festival hub on London's Devonshire Square, there are pop-up bars featuring wines from across Europe.

These two young graduate trainees are enjoying wines from Portugal, and with their festival wristband, it costs them just five British Pounds for a flight of three.

Oscar Stenbom and Anna Rogers both agree that things may well be different if Britain leaves the union.

"If it's more expensive for them to send the wine here, if there's more tariffs, then yeah I guess it would be," says Anna, while Oscar is concerned about regulation and labelling:

"It would also be more difficult to know what you are drinking because there won't be as many restrictions on labelling the wine based on where it's actually from and the grape it's actually come from."

The New Street wine shop has been taken over by the wine festival. They sell wines from all over the world but today they are holding a tasting featuring wines from Ribera del Duero in northern Spain.

Most wine drinkers know about the region of Rioja, but Bettina Lemm is informing these festival goers about the region she represents.

"I think they (wines of Ribera del Duero) are still an emerging market, especially in the UK. The UK is an important market for Ribera del Duero, it's the seventh-largest export market for Ribera del Duero but I think that we're still establishing ourselves."

But if the UK is an important export market, is Brexit going to throw the proverbial spanner into the works? Lemm doesn't seem too worried "I think at the moment we're pretty confident as we've seen year to year that exports have grown. I think that's going to continue and I don't think it's a worry that we have at the moment," she says.

Wine used to have a rather old fashioned reputation and a comparatively elderly demographic, but this has changed enormously in recent years.

The prevalence of wine clubs popping up in the UK is an indicator of wine's increasing popularity.

Tom Harrow of Honest Grapes explains why this is "I think this is because people want to engage more with what's in the bottle. It's not just liquid, they want to know the stories behind it, they want to meet the people involved. And there's the sociable aspect, you know wine is fundamentally something which we do with other people," he says.

With 125 venues across the metropolis taking part in this festival, there's plenty of opportunity to enjoy it with friends.

But with such enthusiasm for wine spreading across the country, June 23 could bring disruption, according to Harrow "It's fair to say that we're a bit concerned about the possibilities of Brexit, I think the rising price of the euro against the pound will have a serious effect on quality wine. At the moment more than 60 percent of wine that comes into the UK is shipped in massive great tankers and bottled over here and that's not something we get involved with. But that becomes the only affordable way if the pound plummets against the euro. So I think that it won't be a good thing initially for the wine consumer because the prices of these small artisan wines will go up" .

However, the future might be bright in other, unexpected ways.

"All the English wine makers that I speak to say we are half a degree away from being a perfect climate for sparkling wines at least," says Harrow, and with apologies to climate change icon Al Gore, he adds that "global warming is a good thing for the UK sparkling wine trade."

Reports by the WSTA (Wine and Spirit Trade Association) suggest there is still some way to go as the UK comes in at number six on the list of sales of sparkling wine by origin - but it's rising year on year.

600 million bottles of wine are bottled in the UK.

This makes the UK wine market the sixth largest in the world, generating 173 billion British pounds of economic activity, according to the WSTA. 10 billion British pounds are made through sales.

Also being showcased here is one of the new kids on the alcohol block, Regal Rogue Vermouth.

According to brand founder Mark Ward, vermouth, by definition, is 75 percent wine. It must have wormwood and it must have an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 15 to 24 percent. These three things have to be in place for a producer to put vermouth on the bottle or it flouts recent EU regulations.

Ward, who was brought up in hospitality, began the project in Australia where he worked closely with top Australian chefs who introduced him to indigenous herbs and spices.

"It seemed like a really obvious thing to do, marrying the herbs and spices with this abundance of Australian wine to create a New World style of vermouth. And you know the tradition of vermouth is really led by the European markets. You know, Italian, French, now Spanish - but now there are vermouths coming out of America, the UK, Germany and obviously Australia. So pretty much anywhere where you find wine now, you will find a vermouth of some sort." he says.

Ward is attempting to educate the wine drinking market which, he believes, is mostly unaware of the fact that vermouth is fundamentally a wine.

This can only be helped by a new pop up for 2016, the Vermouth Bar.

The parent company of London Wine Week is the aptly named "Drink Up London", and they're already preparing for the 2017 event - Brexit or no Brexit.

AP Television

London - 27 May 2016

1. Close of wine glasses

2. Bartender pouring sparkling wine

3. Tilt down on central courtyard at Devonshire Square, the hub for London Wine Week

4. Group of friends enjoying English sparkling wine

5. Men playing table tennis

6. Sign reading (English) "London Wine Week"

7. Set up shot of Emma Murphy, director of London Wine Week

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Emma Murphy, director of London Wine Week

"What's unique about it? It's the largest self-guided wine tasting that there is across London. It's kind of the only event of its kind that we have over here. So we work with 125 bars, restaurants, independent merchants who all get involved whether that's with offers, special menus or ticketed events across the week."

9. Two women with wine flight selection

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Emma Murphy, director of London Wine Week

(Responding to the question Do you think a Brexit will affect the wine industry negatively?)

"I wouldn't have said so, because I mean, I think, you know, wine trade has been going for long enough, even long before the euro, so I wouldn't have thought that would make much difference to be honest with you. Hopefully not anyway."

11. Sign reading (English) "Pop into our pop up wine bars"

12. Various of Portuguese wine pop up

13. Mid of graduate trainees in insurance Oscar Stenpom and Anna Rogers

14. Flight of Portuguese wines

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Oscar Stenbom and Anna Rogers, Insurance Graduate Trainees:

(Responding to question Do you think a Brexit will mean it will be more difficult for people to access quality wine?)

Stenbom: "Yes,"

Rogers: "I guess so, I mean if it's more expensive for them to send the wine here, if there's more tariffs, then yeah I guess it would be."

Stenbom: "It would also be more difficult to know what you're drinking, because there won't be as many restrictions on labelling the wine based on where it's actually from and the grape it's actually come from."

16. Pull focus of Spanish wine labels

17. Vintage bottles of fortified wine

18. Side view of Spanish wine bottles

19. Set up shot of Bettina Lemm with wines from Ribera del Duero in northern Spain

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Bettina Lemm, Westbury Communications (which represents the Ribera del Duero region in the UK):

"I think they (wines of Ribera del Duero) are still an emerging market, especially in the UK. The UK is an important market for Ribera del Duero, it's the seventh-largest export market for Ribera del Duero, but I think that we're still establishing ourselves. A lot of people know some big names from the region, and we're just trying to bring attention to some other grape producers who might not yet have the same recognition."

21. Close of wine labels

22. SOUNDBITE (English) Bettina Lemm, Westbury Communications (who represent the Ribera del Duero region in the UK):

(Responding to the question are you worried about the possibility of a Brexit affecting your export market?)

"I think at the moment we're pretty confident, as we've seen year to year that exports have grown. I think that's going to continue and I don't think it's a worry that we have at the moment."

23. Pan from mediaeval knight sculpture to pop up courtyard

24. Mid of Provence wines pop up

25. Establisher shot of Tom Harrow, wine director of Honest Grapes Wine Club

26. Close of Harrow eyeing the wine

27. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Harrow, wine director of Honest Grapes:

"There's been a real rise in wine clubs in London and the UK generally of late, and I think this is because people want to engage more with what's in the bottle. It's not just liquid, they want to know the stories behind it, they want to meet the people involved. And there's the sociable aspect, you know wine is fundamentally something which we do with other people."

28. Mid of woman laughing over a glass of wine

29. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Harrow, wine director of Honest Grapes:

"It's fair to say that we're a bit concerned about the possibilities of Brexit, I think the rising price of the euro against the pound will have a serious effect on quality wine. At the moment more than 60 percent of wine that comes into the UK is shipped in massive great tankers and then bottled over here and that's not something we get involved with. But that becomes the only affordable way if the pound plummets against the euro. So I think that it won't be a good thing initially for the wine consumer because the prices of these small artisan wines will go up."

30. Woman at table with wine

31. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Harrow, wine director of Honest Grapes:

"All the English wine makers that I speak to say we are half a degree away from being a perfect climate for sparkling wines at least - and even the whites, and to an extent the reds are really coming up. So I have to say it - sorry Al Gore - global warming is a good thing for the UK sparkling wine trade."

32. Various of English rose and white sparkling wines

33. Vermouth being poured into a glass

34. Various of "Regal Rogue" Vermouth bottle

35. Tilt up of Mark Ward, founder of Regal Rogue vermouth, and his produce

36. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Ward, founder of Regal Rogue vermouth:

"It seemed like a really obvious thing to do, marrying the herbs and spices with this abundance of Australian wine to create a New World style of vermouth. And you know the tradition of vermouth is really led by the European markets. You know, Italian, French, now Spanish - but now there are vermouths coming out of America, the UK, Germany and obviously Australia. So pretty much anywhere where you find wine now, you will find a vermouth of some sort."

37. Crowd of London Wine Week attendees at the Vermouth Bar

38. Mid of vermouth cocktails being made

39. Focus pull of sign reading (English) "Drink Up"

LENGTH: 6:02

LEAD IN:

UK wine industry experts are eyeing the upcoming vote on whether to leave the European Union with mixed feelings.

With producers and suppliers heavily reliant on pan-European trade, many remain unsure how Brexit will impact upon business.

STORY-LINE:

Sparkling wine on a summer's day in the English capital.

Glistening flutes and bottles in abundance, and a crowd of happy lunchtime drinkers add to the atmosphere of excitement and discovery, along with an impromptu game of ping pong.

It must be London Wine Week.

This is the third year of the festival, and this year is the most popular to date.

Festival director Emma Murphy says "It's the largest self-guided wine tasting that there is across London. It's kind of the only event of its kind that we have over here. So we work with 125 bars, restaurants, independent merchants who all get involved" .

But although these flutes of fizz are English sparkling wine, much of the wine the festival goers here are tasting is from EU member states such as France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Germany.

The June 23 referendum on whether to quit the European Union is fast approaching. So is this something the industry should fear?

"I wouldn't have said so," says Murphy.

"Wine trade has been going for long enough, even long before the euro, so I wouldn't have thought that would make much difference to be honest with you. Hopefully not anyway."

At the festival hub on London's Devonshire Square, there are pop-up bars featuring wines from across Europe.

These two young graduate trainees are enjoying wines from Portugal, and with their festival wristband, it costs them just five British Pounds for a flight of three.

Oscar Stenbom and Anna Rogers both agree that things may well be different if Britain leaves the union.

"If it's more expensive for them to send the wine here, if there's more tariffs, then yeah I guess it would be," says Anna, while Oscar is concerned about regulation and labelling:

"It would also be more difficult to know what you are drinking because there won't be as many restrictions on labelling the wine based on where it's actually from and the grape it's actually come from."

The New Street wine shop has been taken over by the wine festival. They sell wines from all over the world but today they are holding a tasting featuring wines from Ribera del Duero in northern Spain.

Most wine drinkers know about the region of Rioja, but Bettina Lemm is informing these festival goers about the region she represents.

"I think they (wines of Ribera del Duero) are still an emerging market, especially in the UK. The UK is an important market for Ribera del Duero, it's the seventh-largest export market for Ribera del Duero but I think that we're still establishing ourselves."

But if the UK is an important export market, is Brexit going to throw the proverbial spanner into the works? Lemm doesn't seem too worried "I think at the moment we're pretty confident as we've seen year to year that exports have grown. I think that's going to continue and I don't think it's a worry that we have at the moment," she says.

Wine used to have a rather old fashioned reputation and a comparatively elderly demographic, but this has changed enormously in recent years.

The prevalence of wine clubs popping up in the UK is an indicator of wine's increasing popularity.

Tom Harrow of Honest Grapes explains why this is "I think this is because people want to engage more with what's in the bottle. It's not just liquid, they want to know the stories behind it, they want to meet the people involved. And there's the sociable aspect, you know wine is fundamentally something which we do with other people," he says.

With 125 venues across the metropolis taking part in this festival, there's plenty of opportunity to enjoy it with friends.

But with such enthusiasm for wine spreading across the country, June 23 could bring disruption, according to Harrow "It's fair to say that we're a bit concerned about the possibilities of Brexit, I think the rising price of the euro against the pound will have a serious effect on quality wine. At the moment more than 60 percent of wine that comes into the UK is shipped in massive great tankers and bottled over here and that's not something we get involved with. But that becomes the only affordable way if the pound plummets against the euro. So I think that it won't be a good thing initially for the wine consumer because the prices of these small artisan wines will go up" .

However, the future might be bright in other, unexpected ways.

"All the English wine makers that I speak to say we are half a degree away from being a perfect climate for sparkling wines at least," says Harrow, and with apologies to climate change icon Al Gore, he adds that "global warming is a good thing for the UK sparkling wine trade."

Reports by the WSTA (Wine and Spirit Trade Association) suggest there is still some way to go as the UK comes in at number six on the list of sales of sparkling wine by origin - but it's rising year on year.

600 million bottles of wine are bottled in the UK.

This makes the UK wine market the sixth largest in the world, generating 173 billion British pounds of economic activity, according to the WSTA. 10 billion British pounds are made through sales.

Also being showcased here is one of the new kids on the alcohol block, Regal Rogue Vermouth.

According to brand founder Mark Ward, vermouth, by definition, is 75 percent wine. It must have wormwood and it must have an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 15 to 24 percent. These three things have to be in place for a producer to put vermouth on the bottle or it flouts recent EU regulations.

Ward, who was brought up in hospitality, began the project in Australia where he worked closely with top Australian chefs who introduced him to indigenous herbs and spices.

"It seemed like a really obvious thing to do, marrying the herbs and spices with this abundance of Australian wine to create a New World style of vermouth. And you know the tradition of vermouth is really led by the European markets. You know, Italian, French, now Spanish - but now there are vermouths coming out of America, the UK, Germany and obviously Australia. So pretty much anywhere where you find wine now, you will find a vermouth of some sort." he says.

Ward is attempting to educate the wine drinking market which, he believes, is mostly unaware of the fact that vermouth is fundamentally a wine.

This can only be helped by a new pop up for 2016, the Vermouth Bar.

The parent company of London Wine Week is the aptly named "Drink Up London", and they're already preparing for the 2017 event - Brexit or no Brexit.

LEAD IN:

UK wine industry experts are eyeing the upcoming vote on whether to leave the European Union with mixed feelings.

With producers and suppliers heavily reliant on pan-European trade, many remain unsure how Brexit will impact upon business.

STORY-LINE:

Sparkling wine on a summer's day in the English capital.

Glistening flutes and bottles in abundance, and a crowd of happy lunchtime drinkers add to the atmosphere of excitement and discovery, along with an impromptu game of ping pong.

It must be London Wine Week.

This is the third year of the festival, and this year is the most popular to date.

Festival director Emma Murphy says "It's the largest self-guided wine tasting that there is across London. It's kind of the only event of its kind that we have over here. So we work with 125 bars, restaurants, independent merchants who all get involved" .

But although these flutes of fizz are English sparkling wine, much of the wine the festival goers here are tasting is from EU member states such as France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Germany.

The June 23 referendum on whether to quit the European Union is fast approaching. So is this something the industry should fear?

"I wouldn't have said so," says Murphy.

"Wine trade has been going for long enough, even long before the euro, so I wouldn't have thought that would make much difference to be honest with you. Hopefully not anyway."

At the festival hub on London's Devonshire Square, there are pop-up bars featuring wines from across Europe.

These two young graduate trainees are enjoying wines from Portugal, and with their festival wristband, it costs them just five British Pounds for a flight of three.

Oscar Stenbom and Anna Rogers both agree that things may well be different if Britain leaves the union.

"If it's more expensive for them to send the wine here, if there's more tariffs, then yeah I guess it would be," says Anna, while Oscar is concerned about regulation and labelling:

"It would also be more difficult to know what you are drinking because there won't be as many restrictions on labelling the wine based on where it's actually from and the grape it's actually come from."

The New Street wine shop has been taken over by the wine festival. They sell wines from all over the world but today they are holding a tasting featuring wines from Ribera del Duero in northern Spain.

Most wine drinkers know about the region of Rioja, but Bettina Lemm is informing these festival goers about the region she represents.

"I think they (wines of Ribera del Duero) are still an emerging market, especially in the UK. The UK is an important market for Ribera del Duero, it's the seventh-largest export market for Ribera del Duero but I think that we're still establishing ourselves."

But if the UK is an important export market, is Brexit going to throw the proverbial spanner into the works? Lemm doesn't seem too worried "I think at the moment we're pretty confident as we've seen year to year that exports have grown. I think that's going to continue and I don't think it's a worry that we have at the moment," she says.

Wine used to have a rather old fashioned reputation and a comparatively elderly demographic, but this has changed enormously in recent years.

The prevalence of wine clubs popping up in the UK is an indicator of wine's increasing popularity.

Tom Harrow of Honest Grapes explains why this is "I think this is because people want to engage more with what's in the bottle. It's not just liquid, they want to know the stories behind it, they want to meet the people involved. And there's the sociable aspect, you know wine is fundamentally something which we do with other people," he says.

With 125 venues across the metropolis taking part in this festival, there's plenty of opportunity to enjoy it with friends.

But with such enthusiasm for wine spreading across the country, June 23 could bring disruption, according to Harrow "It's fair to say that we're a bit concerned about the possibilities of Brexit, I think the rising price of the euro against the pound will have a serious effect on quality wine. At the moment more than 60 percent of wine that comes into the UK is shipped in massive great tankers and bottled over here and that's not something we get involved with. But that becomes the only affordable way if the pound plummets against the euro. So I think that it won't be a good thing initially for the wine consumer because the prices of these small artisan wines will go up" .

However, the future might be bright in other, unexpected ways.

"All the English wine makers that I speak to say we are half a degree away from being a perfect climate for sparkling wines at least," says Harrow, and with apologies to climate change icon Al Gore, he adds that "global warming is a good thing for the UK sparkling wine trade."

Reports by the WSTA (Wine and Spirit Trade Association) suggest there is still some way to go as the UK comes in at number six on the list of sales of sparkling wine by origin - but it's rising year on year.

600 million bottles of wine are bottled in the UK.

This makes the UK wine market the sixth largest in the world, generating 173 billion British pounds of economic activity, according to the WSTA. 10 billion British pounds are made through sales.

Also being showcased here is one of the new kids on the alcohol block, Regal Rogue Vermouth.

According to brand founder Mark Ward, vermouth, by definition, is 75 percent wine. It must have wormwood and it must have an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 15 to 24 percent. These three things have to be in place for a producer to put vermouth on the bottle or it flouts recent EU regulations.

Ward, who was brought up in hospitality, began the project in Australia where he worked closely with top Australian chefs who introduced him to indigenous herbs and spices.

"It seemed like a really obvious thing to do, marrying the herbs and spices with this abundance of Australian wine to create a New World style of vermouth. And you know the tradition of vermouth is really led by the European markets. You know, Italian, French, now Spanish - but now there are vermouths coming out of America, the UK, Germany and obviously Australia. So pretty much anywhere where you find wine now, you will find a vermouth of some sort." he says.

Ward is attempting to educate the wine drinking market which, he believes, is mostly unaware of the fact that vermouth is fundamentally a wine.

This can only be helped by a new pop up for 2016, the Vermouth Bar.

The parent company of London Wine Week is the aptly named "Drink Up London", and they're already preparing for the 2017 event - Brexit or no Brexit.

AP Television

London - 27 May 2016

1. Close of wine glasses

2. Bartender pouring sparkling wine

3. Tilt down on central courtyard at Devonshire Square, the hub for London Wine Week

4. Group of friends enjoying English sparkling wine

5. Men playing table tennis

6. Sign reading (English) "London Wine Week"

7. Set up shot of Emma Murphy, director of London Wine Week

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Emma Murphy, director of London Wine Week

"What's unique about it? It's the largest self-guided wine tasting that there is across London. It's kind of the only event of its kind that we have over here. So we work with 125 bars, restaurants, independent merchants who all get involved whether that's with offers, special menus or ticketed events across the week."

9. Two women with wine flight selection

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Emma Murphy, director of London Wine Week

(Responding to the question Do you think a Brexit will affect the wine industry negatively?)

"I wouldn't have said so, because I mean, I think, you know, wine trade has been going for long enough, even long before the euro, so I wouldn't have thought that would make much difference to be honest with you. Hopefully not anyway."

11. Sign reading (English) "Pop into our pop up wine bars"

12. Various of Portuguese wine pop up

13. Mid of graduate trainees in insurance Oscar Stenpom and Anna Rogers

14. Flight of Portuguese wines

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Oscar Stenbom and Anna Rogers, Insurance Graduate Trainees:

(Responding to question Do you think a Brexit will mean it will be more difficult for people to access quality wine?)

Stenbom: "Yes,"

Rogers: "I guess so, I mean if it's more expensive for them to send the wine here, if there's more tariffs, then yeah I guess it would be."

Stenbom: "It would also be more difficult to know what you're drinking, because there won't be as many restrictions on labelling the wine based on where it's actually from and the grape it's actually come from."

16. Pull focus of Spanish wine labels

17. Vintage bottles of fortified wine

18. Side view of Spanish wine bottles

19. Set up shot of Bettina Lemm with wines from Ribera del Duero in northern Spain

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Bettina Lemm, Westbury Communications (which represents the Ribera del Duero region in the UK):

"I think they (wines of Ribera del Duero) are still an emerging market, especially in the UK. The UK is an important market for Ribera del Duero, it's the seventh-largest export market for Ribera del Duero, but I think that we're still establishing ourselves. A lot of people know some big names from the region, and we're just trying to bring attention to some other grape producers who might not yet have the same recognition."

21. Close of wine labels

22. SOUNDBITE (English) Bettina Lemm, Westbury Communications (who represent the Ribera del Duero region in the UK):

(Responding to the question are you worried about the possibility of a Brexit affecting your export market?)

"I think at the moment we're pretty confident, as we've seen year to year that exports have grown. I think that's going to continue and I don't think it's a worry that we have at the moment."

23. Pan from mediaeval knight sculpture to pop up courtyard

24. Mid of Provence wines pop up

25. Establisher shot of Tom Harrow, wine director of Honest Grapes Wine Club

26. Close of Harrow eyeing the wine

27. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Harrow, wine director of Honest Grapes:

"There's been a real rise in wine clubs in London and the UK generally of late, and I think this is because people want to engage more with what's in the bottle. It's not just liquid, they want to know the stories behind it, they want to meet the people involved. And there's the sociable aspect, you know wine is fundamentally something which we do with other people."

28. Mid of woman laughing over a glass of wine

29. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Harrow, wine director of Honest Grapes:

"It's fair to say that we're a bit concerned about the possibilities of Brexit, I think the rising price of the euro against the pound will have a serious effect on quality wine. At the moment more than 60 percent of wine that comes into the UK is shipped in massive great tankers and then bottled over here and that's not something we get involved with. But that becomes the only affordable way if the pound plummets against the euro. So I think that it won't be a good thing initially for the wine consumer because the prices of these small artisan wines will go up."

30. Woman at table with wine

31. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Harrow, wine director of Honest Grapes:

"All the English wine makers that I speak to say we are half a degree away from being a perfect climate for sparkling wines at least - and even the whites, and to an extent the reds are really coming up. So I have to say it - sorry Al Gore - global warming is a good thing for the UK sparkling wine trade."

32. Various of English rose and white sparkling wines

33. Vermouth being poured into a glass

34. Various of "Regal Rogue" Vermouth bottle

35. Tilt up of Mark Ward, founder of Regal Rogue vermouth, and his produce

36. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Ward, founder of Regal Rogue vermouth:

"It seemed like a really obvious thing to do, marrying the herbs and spices with this abundance of Australian wine to create a New World style of vermouth. And you know the tradition of vermouth is really led by the European markets. You know, Italian, French, now Spanish - but now there are vermouths coming out of America, the UK, Germany and obviously Australia. So pretty much anywhere where you find wine now, you will find a vermouth of some sort."

37. Crowd of London Wine Week attendees at the Vermouth Bar

38. Mid of vermouth cocktails being made

39. Focus pull of sign reading (English) "Drink Up"

LENGTH: 6:02

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4063805

LEAD IN:

The art and antique market in post-Brexit Britain is booming, according to London dealers.

A weak pound against the dollar and Euro is seeing American collectors in particular start to snap up bargains.

STORY-LINE:

The art and antiques market in the UK isn't just on target, it's positively booming post Brexit.

Dealers here at the Winter Art and Antiques Fair in Olympia say it's a great time to buy because of the weak pound.

American buyers in particular are attracted to London with the newfound strength of the dollar. Looking to bag a bargain they could save around 25-30 per cent compared to six months earlier.

Craig Carrington is an antique dealer with four decades of experience.

He sells many neo-classical antiques on his stand, but his showcase piece is this bust of a Roman goddess, thought to be designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the same man who designed the Statue of Liberty.

He says: "As an antique dealer I think a weak pound is very good news because we sell to international clients and if the dollar is strong, the euro is strong then it's very good news for somebody like me, absolutely."

Art dealers are reporting a similar trend.

Tanya Baxter runs a gallery specialising in contemporary pieces. She says since the day of the referendum result, announcing Britain would leave the EU, she's been very busy.

She says many see the art market as a safe investment in uncertain times.

"And with the devaluation of the pound as well as the fact that Brexit has kind of made a cautious and volatile financial market it (art and antiques) is a very, very safe place."

According to Baxter the single largest group of buyers is coming from the USA:

"Well they're so excited particularly American collectors who we are getting calls from saying 'So what have you? Because I want to spend x amount and will fly over to do so.'"

One of the American investors who has come to London to buy is David Ryder.

The retired lawyer, originally from Chicago, had just bought this painting by British artist Amy Pugh. He says it's such a good time to buy, with the strength of the dollar against the pound, that he will return next month to buy more art.

Ryder says: "England is where we have bought probably 90 per cent of the artwork that we have, and we have a lot in numerous houses. We find this is a good country for selection of different artists, both contemporary and old artists, particularly from the auction houses and this is a particularly good time so we're here now and we'll come back in December again to look at more art."

Art and antique dealers haven't just benefited from the dip in the value of the pound. Immediately after the result of Brexit was announced British buyers quickly began to buy art and antiques fearing the collapse in the value of the pound.

Art dealer Julian Hartnoll is calling this a 'double-boom' for the industry.

Hartnoll says: "There's this nice new phrase, the double-boom. It was the English buying immediately after Brexit because they wanted to get out of pounds and get into objects because they were fearing the pound would become valueless. And then the Americans, as the pound subsided, have overcome their fear of terrorism in England and have started to buy again, so for instance last night my only clients were Americans."

Antique jewellery dealers are also benefiting.

Iranian jeweller Morteza Mojarad runs the Persis jewellers off Bond Street in London.

He says: "I've seen a big improvement, to be honest, since Brexit and that's I think because of the exchange rate, dollar to pound and especially Euro to pounds."

But if the situation is good for British based dealers, spare a thought for European antique dealers trying to sell in Britain.

David Lafleur is an antique dealer based in Paris with his shop Gallerie Buter.

The strength of the Euro might be good for some of his compatriots, but when Lafleur sells in the UK he is finding the competition difficult.

However, despite these difficulties he says he will continue to exhibit his Oriental antiques in London because international buyers have been scared away from Paris.

"Because of the economic crisis, you know, the people were afraid because of the terrorists, because of the tax. A lot of things saw the people leave France. So for us, it's better to come here in London because the people are here, the people from other countries are here."

The Winter Art and Antiques Fair in Olympia returns for its 26th year.

Around 100 exhibitors are displaying art and antiques, most are displaying collectibles at the high-end of the market.

It is the only fair in the UK to work with the top two trade associations and there is a strict vetting process for all pieces on sale at the show. Each item must be checked by a team of experts before the fair opens.

The Winter Art and Antiques Fair Olympia runs 31 October - 6 November.

London, UK - 1 November 2016

1. Pull focus of bronze Japanese archer

2. Various of Meiji period Japanese bronze crow with glass eyes

3. Mid of men admiring antique chandelier

4. Various of Dutch walnut armoire from circa 1750 with carved figures (price £35,000/ USD 42,930)

5. Wide of woman reading catalogue

6. Low angle pan right of neo-classical copper bust of Roman goddess by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi (price £16,500/ USD 20,235)

7. Various of Craig Carrington looking at bust

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Craig Carrington, antique dealer

"As an antique dealer I think a weak pound is very good news because we sell to international clients and if the dollar is strong, the euro is strong then it's very good news for somebody like me, absolutely."

9. Art dealer Tanya Baxter showing painting to visitor

10. Close tilt down of painting 'Paper Bride in Waiting' by Zeng Chuanxing (price £120,000/ USD 147,000)

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tanya Baxter, art dealer and gallery owner

"With the devaluation of the pound as well as the fact that Brexit has kind of made a cautious and volatile financial market (art and antiques) it's a very, very safe place."

12. Various cutaways of Tanya Baxter showing 'Paper Bride in Waiting'

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tanya Baxter, art dealer and gallery owner

"Well they're so excited particularly American collectors who we are getting calls from saying 'So what have you? Because I want to spend x amount and will fly over to do so.'"

14. Various of art collector David Ryder looking at painting

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) David Ryder, retired lawyer and American art collector

"England is where we have bought probably 90 per cent of the artwork that we have, and we have a lot in numerous houses. We find this is a good country for selection of different artists, both contemporary and old artists, particularly from the auction houses and this is a particularly good time so we're here now and we'll come back in December again to look at more art."

16. Mid of portrait of Angelina Jolie by artist Bambi (price £14,000/ USD 17,000)

17. Tilt up of portrait of Amy Winehouse by artist Bambi (price £16,000/ USD 19,600)

18. Set up shot of art dealer Julian Hartnoll

19. SOUNDBITE: (English) Julian Hartnoll, art dealer and gallery owner

"There's this nice new phrase, the double-boom. It was the English buying immediately after Brexit because they wanted to get out of pounds and get into objects because they were fearing the pound would become valueless. And then the Americans, as the pound subsided, have overcome their fear of terrorism in England and have started to buy again, so for instance last night my only clients were Americans."

20. Various of jewellery seller Morteza Mojarad inspecting antique diamond ring

21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Morteza Mojarad, director of Persis antique jewellery

"I've seen a big improvement, to be honest, since Brexit and that's I think because of the exchange rate, dollar to pound and especially Euro to pounds."

22. Wide pan left of gallery showcasing large marble/ stone artworks

23. Close of 1930s Chinese coral sculpture

24. Various set up shots of David Lafleur, antique dealer based in Paris

25. SOUNDBITE: (English) David Lafleur, antique dealer based in Paris

"Because of the economic crisis, you know, the people were afraid because of the terrorists, because of the tax. A lot of things saw the people leave France. So for us, it's better to come here in London because the people are here, the people from other countries are here."

26. Tilt up of Italian silver and bronze library lamp in style of Pharaoh by Piel Paolo Spaina, circa 1810 (price £8,500/ USD 10,425)

27. Close of marble lioness circa 1780 (price £14,500 USD 17,700)

28. Wide of antique clock stand

29. Wide of grandfather clocks, tilt down

30. Close of Henry Jenkins mahogany table clock circa 1780 (price £75,000/ USD 92,000)

31. Various of woman opening clock and chiming its bells

32. Wide pan left of show floor

LEAD IN:

The art and antique market in post-Brexit Britain is booming, according to London dealers.

A weak pound against the dollar and Euro is seeing American collectors in particular start to snap up bargains.

STORY-LINE:

The art and antiques market in the UK isn't just on target, it's positively booming post Brexit.

Dealers here at the Winter Art and Antiques Fair in Olympia say it's a great time to buy because of the weak pound.

American buyers in particular are attracted to London with the newfound strength of the dollar. Looking to bag a bargain they could save around 25-30 per cent compared to six months earlier.

Craig Carrington is an antique dealer with four decades of experience.

He sells many neo-classical antiques on his stand, but his showcase piece is this bust of a Roman goddess, thought to be designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the same man who designed the Statue of Liberty.

He says: "As an antique dealer I think a weak pound is very good news because we sell to international clients and if the dollar is strong, the euro is strong then it's very good news for somebody like me, absolutely."

Art dealers are reporting a similar trend.

Tanya Baxter runs a gallery specialising in contemporary pieces. She says since the day of the referendum result, announcing Britain would leave the EU, she's been very busy.

She says many see the art market as a safe investment in uncertain times.

"And with the devaluation of the pound as well as the fact that Brexit has kind of made a cautious and volatile financial market it (art and antiques) is a very, very safe place."

According to Baxter the single largest group of buyers is coming from the USA:

"Well they're so excited particularly American collectors who we are getting calls from saying 'So what have you? Because I want to spend x amount and will fly over to do so.'"

One of the American investors who has come to London to buy is David Ryder.

The retired lawyer, originally from Chicago, had just bought this painting by British artist Amy Pugh. He says it's such a good time to buy, with the strength of the dollar against the pound, that he will return next month to buy more art.

Ryder says: "England is where we have bought probably 90 per cent of the artwork that we have, and we have a lot in numerous houses. We find this is a good country for selection of different artists, both contemporary and old artists, particularly from the auction houses and this is a particularly good time so we're here now and we'll come back in December again to look at more art."

Art and antique dealers haven't just benefited from the dip in the value of the pound. Immediately after the result of Brexit was announced British buyers quickly began to buy art and antiques fearing the collapse in the value of the pound.

Art dealer Julian Hartnoll is calling this a 'double-boom' for the industry.

Hartnoll says: "There's this nice new phrase, the double-boom. It was the English buying immediately after Brexit because they wanted to get out of pounds and get into objects because they were fearing the pound would become valueless. And then the Americans, as the pound subsided, have overcome their fear of terrorism in England and have started to buy again, so for instance last night my only clients were Americans."

Antique jewellery dealers are also benefiting.

Iranian jeweller Morteza Mojarad runs the Persis jewellers off Bond Street in London.

He says: "I've seen a big improvement, to be honest, since Brexit and that's I think because of the exchange rate, dollar to pound and especially Euro to pounds."

But if the situation is good for British based dealers, spare a thought for European antique dealers trying to sell in Britain.

David Lafleur is an antique dealer based in Paris with his shop Gallerie Buter.

The strength of the Euro might be good for some of his compatriots, but when Lafleur sells in the UK he is finding the competition difficult.

However, despite these difficulties he says he will continue to exhibit his Oriental antiques in London because international buyers have been scared away from Paris.

"Because of the economic crisis, you know, the people were afraid because of the terrorists, because of the tax. A lot of things saw the people leave France. So for us, it's better to come here in London because the people are here, the people from other countries are here."

The Winter Art and Antiques Fair in Olympia returns for its 26th year.

Around 100 exhibitors are displaying art and antiques, most are displaying collectibles at the high-end of the market.

It is the only fair in the UK to work with the top two trade associations and there is a strict vetting process for all pieces on sale at the show. Each item must be checked by a team of experts before the fair opens.

The Winter Art and Antiques Fair Olympia runs 31 October - 6 November.

London, UK - 1 November 2016

1. Pull focus of bronze Japanese archer

2. Various of Meiji period Japanese bronze crow with glass eyes

3. Mid of men admiring antique chandelier

4. Various of Dutch walnut armoire from circa 1750 with carved figures (price £35,000/ USD 42,930)

5. Wide of woman reading catalogue

6. Low angle pan right of neo-classical copper bust of Roman goddess by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi (price £16,500/ USD 20,235)

7. Various of Craig Carrington looking at bust

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Craig Carrington, antique dealer

"As an antique dealer I think a weak pound is very good news because we sell to international clients and if the dollar is strong, the euro is strong then it's very good news for somebody like me, absolutely."

9. Art dealer Tanya Baxter showing painting to visitor

10. Close tilt down of painting 'Paper Bride in Waiting' by Zeng Chuanxing (price £120,000/ USD 147,000)

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tanya Baxter, art dealer and gallery owner

"With the devaluation of the pound as well as the fact that Brexit has kind of made a cautious and volatile financial market (art and antiques) it's a very, very safe place."

12. Various cutaways of Tanya Baxter showing 'Paper Bride in Waiting'

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tanya Baxter, art dealer and gallery owner

"Well they're so excited particularly American collectors who we are getting calls from saying 'So what have you? Because I want to spend x amount and will fly over to do so.'"

14. Various of art collector David Ryder looking at painting

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) David Ryder, retired lawyer and American art collector

"England is where we have bought probably 90 per cent of the artwork that we have, and we have a lot in numerous houses. We find this is a good country for selection of different artists, both contemporary and old artists, particularly from the auction houses and this is a particularly good time so we're here now and we'll come back in December again to look at more art."

16. Mid of portrait of Angelina Jolie by artist Bambi (price £14,000/ USD 17,000)

17. Tilt up of portrait of Amy Winehouse by artist Bambi (price £16,000/ USD 19,600)

18. Set up shot of art dealer Julian Hartnoll

19. SOUNDBITE: (English) Julian Hartnoll, art dealer and gallery owner

"There's this nice new phrase, the double-boom. It was the English buying immediately after Brexit because they wanted to get out of pounds and get into objects because they were fearing the pound would become valueless. And then the Americans, as the pound subsided, have overcome their fear of terrorism in England and have started to buy again, so for instance last night my only clients were Americans."

20. Various of jewellery seller Morteza Mojarad inspecting antique diamond ring

21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Morteza Mojarad, director of Persis antique jewellery

"I've seen a big improvement, to be honest, since Brexit and that's I think because of the exchange rate, dollar to pound and especially Euro to pounds."

22. Wide pan left of gallery showcasing large marble/ stone artworks

23. Close of 1930s Chinese coral sculpture

24. Various set up shots of David Lafleur, antique dealer based in Paris

25. SOUNDBITE: (English) David Lafleur, antique dealer based in Paris

"Because of the economic crisis, you know, the people were afraid because of the terrorists, because of the tax. A lot of things saw the people leave France. So for us, it's better to come here in London because the people are here, the people from other countries are here."

26. Tilt up of Italian silver and bronze library lamp in style of Pharaoh by Piel Paolo Spaina, circa 1810 (price £8,500/ USD 10,425)

27. Close of marble lioness circa 1780 (price £14,500 USD 17,700)

28. Wide of antique clock stand

29. Wide of grandfather clocks, tilt down

30. Close of Henry Jenkins mahogany table clock circa 1780 (price £75,000/ USD 92,000)

31. Various of woman opening clock and chiming its bells

32. Wide pan left of show floor

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4069665

LEAD IN:

Virtual and augmented reality, health technology and mobile tech are taking centre stage at the annual TechCrunch Disrupt startup event in London.

According to a recent report, the British capital remains Europe's biggest tech hub despite the recent 'Leave' EU vote.

Experts say how migration is managed once Britain leaves the 28-nation bloc could be pivotal for the city's future tech scene.

STORY-LINE:

During London's 2012 Olympic Games, the Copper Box Arena hosted fencing duels and handball matches.

Four years on, a completely different type of competition is hotting up.

At TechCrunch Disrupt London, an annual tech conference, fledgling companies are competing for venture capitalists' attention in 'Start-Up Alley' and 'Battlefield' areas.

The 'Startup Battlefield' gives entrants the chance to feverishly pitch their company to a panel of judges. The winning team takes away a prize of 50,000 US dollars.

Virtual reality is a hot tech trend currently, but high-cost headsets mean many are yet to sample premium VR content.

Poland-based RiftCat is aiming to change that.

Its developers created PC technology that allows gamers to play high-quality VR games through simple mobile VR viewers like Google Cardboard.

VRidge - as it's called - is intended to act as a bridge between mobile and PC VR content.

"When you have two branches of virtual reality, the PC VR and mobile VR and they both have their advantages and disadvantages - PC VR is the highest quality, but it's expensive and mobile VR is cheap because you can use your phone and put it, you have only the lenses, but it has not that much capability," explains Marek Antoniuk from RiftCat.

"So, basically we are making a bridge in between these two worlds."

Hot on the heels of virtual reality, augmented reality - or AR - is becoming a popular topic following the global success of smartphone game 'Pokemon Go'.

Liverpool-based SwapBots created an augmented reality game which seemingly brings simple cardboard toys to life.

Users can combine boxes to create different characters, there's a variety of single and multiplayer games for players to explore.

"When you're young yourself, you imagine your toys coming to life," explains Phil Charnock from SwapBots.

"And now you can - I won't say replace your imagination - but you can kind of see your imagination living on the screen.

"You can see the toy itself, starting to move around, see them battle with each other and I think that's an incredible thing to be feeding kids' imaginations like that."

Medtech company xRapid is demonstrating its automated diagnostic smartphone app, designed to diagnose diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.

Using the smartphone's camera and when connected to a microscope, the app deploys digital imaging and artificial intelligence to analyse smear tests.

It's claimed the technology is particularly useful in remote areas, far from trained doctors or a reliable internet connection.

"We take a blood sample, we use any kind of microscope and with the iPhone app that we developed, we can tell you if you are sick or not, give all the important details to the doctor to give the right diagnostic and the right treatment to patients," explains Charles Van Overmeire from xRapid.

Seoul-based Attocube is demonstrating its smartphone-connected wooden blocks, designed to inspire and educate young minds.

Players are challenged to create various letters, numbers and shapes using cubes decorated with different geometric patterns.

The idea is to boost creativity and problem solving while still giving children screen time.

"We created this cube and children learn the alphabet or numbers or images and create different patterns, and they make more and more creative, and (the) brain strengthens, yeah," explains Johnny Moon from Attocube.

London-based Firef.ly is demonstrating its mobile travel app which combines planning, guides and journals all in one place.

Users can browse guidebooks, add locations to Buck Lists, shoot and embed videos and photos onto a map, and tailor digital postcards for friends and family back home.

The idea is to provide all smartphone-enabled travellers require in one app.

"You look at Facebook, it's great for peeling through somebody's wall, but it's a sporadic hit of a bunch of different things, it doesn't join up the story," explains Chad Cribbins from Firef.ly.

"So, ours is uniquely dedicated to a journal of your travels, that you can peel back through time.

"So, all these lines that we capture, over months and months, even just living in London, becomes an interesting narrative for you to hold onto."

Despite Britain's recent 'Leave' EU vote, London appears to be maintaining its place as Europe's tech capital.

According to the recent 'State of European Tech' report by tech investment firm Atomico, London boasts over 300,000 developers.

French capital Paris came in second with over 134,000 - less than half London's total.

"It still remains, whatever you want to say about Brexit or anything else, London and the UK is still the biggest hub of startup ecosystems in the whole of Europe and that's really not going to change anytime soon," says Mike Butcher from tech website TechCrunch.

Despite that, Butcher says how Britain handles migration once it exits the 28-nation bloc could be pivotal for London's startup scene.

"It's going to be about talent because migration and skilled migration are hugely at the core of startups," he says.

"You know, the two things that affect startups are money and talent, and talent is really going to be affected by Brexit, how people get visas, how people access the UK, and how people are able to hire into the UK.

"Brexit is absolutely the core of this conversation about startups today."

TechCrunch Disrupt London 2016 runs 5-6 December at the Copper Box Arena in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

London, UK - 5 December 2016

1. High wide shot of TechCrunch Disrupt London 2016 show floor

2. Wide of booths and attendees

3. Tilt down from 'Startup Battlefield' sign to show floor

4. Various of Marek Antoniuk, RiftCat, demonstrating RiftCat VRidge virtual reality technology

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Marek Antoniuk, RiftCat:

"When you have two branches of virtual reality, the PC VR and mobile VR and they both have their advantages and disadvantages - PC VR is the highest quality, but it's expensive and mobile VR is cheap because you can use your phone and put it, you have only the lenses, but it has not that much capability. So, basically we are making a bridge in between these two worlds."

6. Low shot of attendee removing virtual reality headset

7. Various of Phil Charnock, SwapBots, demonstrating SwapBots augmented reality toys

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Phil Charnock, SwapBots:

"When you're young yourself, you imagine your toys coming to life. And now you can - I won't say replace your imagination - but you can kind of see your imagination actually living on the screen. You can see the toy itself, starting to move around, see them battle with each other and I think that's an incredible thing to be feeding kids' imaginations like that."

9. Pull out from SwapBots toy to tablet showing augmented reality technology

10. Various of Charles Van Overmeire, xRapid, demonstrating xRapid automated diagnostic app with microscope

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Charles Van Overmeire, xRapid:

"We take a blood sample, we use any kind of microscope and with the iPhone app that we developed, we can tell you if you are sick or not, we give all the important details to the doctor to give the right diagnostic and the right treatment to patients."

12. Various of Johnny Moon, Attocube, demonstrating Attocube smartphone-connected wooden block learning game

13. Tilt up of smartphone showing Attocube app and complete letter 'D'

14. Pull out of blocks showing completed letter 'D'

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Johnny Moon, Attocube:

"We created this cube and children learn the alphabet or numbers or images and create different patterns, and they make more and more creative, and (the) brain strengthens, yeah."

16. Various of Chad Cribbins, Firef.ly, demonstrating Firef.ly travel smartphone app

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Chad Cribbins, Firef.ly:

"You look at Facebook, it's great for peeling through somebody's wall, but it's a sporadic hit of a bunch of different things, it doesn't join up the story. So, ours is uniquely dedicated to a journal of your travels, that you can peel back through time. So, all these lines that we capture, over months and months, even just living in London, becomes an interesting narrative for you to hold onto."

18. Wide tilt down to TechCrunch Disrupt London 2016 show floor

19. Wide of sign, reading (English): 'Startup Battlefield'

20. Various of booths and attendees

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Butcher, Editor At Large, TechCrunch:

"It still remains, whatever you want to say about Brexit or anything else, London and the UK is still the biggest hub of startup ecosystems in the whole of Europe and that's really not going to change anytime soon."

22. Various of booths and attendees

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Butcher, Editor At Large, TechCrunch:

"It's going to be about talent because migration and skilled migration are hugely at the core of startups. You know, the two things that affect startups are money and talent, and talent is really going to be affected by Brexit, how people get visas, how people access the UK, and how people are able to hire into the UK. Brexit is absolutely the core of this conversation about startups today."

24. Tilt down to TechCrunch Disrupt London 2016 show floor

25. Close of tank robot toy moving

LEAD IN:

Virtual and augmented reality, health technology and mobile tech are taking centre stage at the annual TechCrunch Disrupt startup event in London.

According to a recent report, the British capital remains Europe's biggest tech hub despite the recent 'Leave' EU vote.

Experts say how migration is managed once Britain leaves the 28-nation bloc could be pivotal for the city's future tech scene.

STORY-LINE:

During London's 2012 Olympic Games, the Copper Box Arena hosted fencing duels and handball matches.

Four years on, a completely different type of competition is hotting up.

At TechCrunch Disrupt London, an annual tech conference, fledgling companies are competing for venture capitalists' attention in 'Start-Up Alley' and 'Battlefield' areas.

The 'Startup Battlefield' gives entrants the chance to feverishly pitch their company to a panel of judges. The winning team takes away a prize of 50,000 US dollars.

Virtual reality is a hot tech trend currently, but high-cost headsets mean many are yet to sample premium VR content.

Poland-based RiftCat is aiming to change that.

Its developers created PC technology that allows gamers to play high-quality VR games through simple mobile VR viewers like Google Cardboard.

VRidge - as it's called - is intended to act as a bridge between mobile and PC VR content.

"When you have two branches of virtual reality, the PC VR and mobile VR and they both have their advantages and disadvantages - PC VR is the highest quality, but it's expensive and mobile VR is cheap because you can use your phone and put it, you have only the lenses, but it has not that much capability," explains Marek Antoniuk from RiftCat.

"So, basically we are making a bridge in between these two worlds."

Hot on the heels of virtual reality, augmented reality - or AR - is becoming a popular topic following the global success of smartphone game 'Pokemon Go'.

Liverpool-based SwapBots created an augmented reality game which seemingly brings simple cardboard toys to life.

Users can combine boxes to create different characters, there's a variety of single and multiplayer games for players to explore.

"When you're young yourself, you imagine your toys coming to life," explains Phil Charnock from SwapBots.

"And now you can - I won't say replace your imagination - but you can kind of see your imagination living on the screen.

"You can see the toy itself, starting to move around, see them battle with each other and I think that's an incredible thing to be feeding kids' imaginations like that."

Medtech company xRapid is demonstrating its automated diagnostic smartphone app, designed to diagnose diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.

Using the smartphone's camera and when connected to a microscope, the app deploys digital imaging and artificial intelligence to analyse smear tests.

It's claimed the technology is particularly useful in remote areas, far from trained doctors or a reliable internet connection.

"We take a blood sample, we use any kind of microscope and with the iPhone app that we developed, we can tell you if you are sick or not, give all the important details to the doctor to give the right diagnostic and the right treatment to patients," explains Charles Van Overmeire from xRapid.

Seoul-based Attocube is demonstrating its smartphone-connected wooden blocks, designed to inspire and educate young minds.

Players are challenged to create various letters, numbers and shapes using cubes decorated with different geometric patterns.

The idea is to boost creativity and problem solving while still giving children screen time.

"We created this cube and children learn the alphabet or numbers or images and create different patterns, and they make more and more creative, and (the) brain strengthens, yeah," explains Johnny Moon from Attocube.

London-based Firef.ly is demonstrating its mobile travel app which combines planning, guides and journals all in one place.

Users can browse guidebooks, add locations to Buck Lists, shoot and embed videos and photos onto a map, and tailor digital postcards for friends and family back home.

The idea is to provide all smartphone-enabled travellers require in one app.

"You look at Facebook, it's great for peeling through somebody's wall, but it's a sporadic hit of a bunch of different things, it doesn't join up the story," explains Chad Cribbins from Firef.ly.

"So, ours is uniquely dedicated to a journal of your travels, that you can peel back through time.

"So, all these lines that we capture, over months and months, even just living in London, becomes an interesting narrative for you to hold onto."

Despite Britain's recent 'Leave' EU vote, London appears to be maintaining its place as Europe's tech capital.

According to the recent 'State of European Tech' report by tech investment firm Atomico, London boasts over 300,000 developers.

French capital Paris came in second with over 134,000 - less than half London's total.

"It still remains, whatever you want to say about Brexit or anything else, London and the UK is still the biggest hub of startup ecosystems in the whole of Europe and that's really not going to change anytime soon," says Mike Butcher from tech website TechCrunch.

Despite that, Butcher says how Britain handles migration once it exits the 28-nation bloc could be pivotal for London's startup scene.

"It's going to be about talent because migration and skilled migration are hugely at the core of startups," he says.

"You know, the two things that affect startups are money and talent, and talent is really going to be affected by Brexit, how people get visas, how people access the UK, and how people are able to hire into the UK.

"Brexit is absolutely the core of this conversation about startups today."

TechCrunch Disrupt London 2016 runs 5-6 December at the Copper Box Arena in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

London, UK - 5 December 2016

1. High wide shot of TechCrunch Disrupt London 2016 show floor

2. Wide of booths and attendees

3. Tilt down from 'Startup Battlefield' sign to show floor

4. Various of Marek Antoniuk, RiftCat, demonstrating RiftCat VRidge virtual reality technology

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Marek Antoniuk, RiftCat:

"When you have two branches of virtual reality, the PC VR and mobile VR and they both have their advantages and disadvantages - PC VR is the highest quality, but it's expensive and mobile VR is cheap because you can use your phone and put it, you have only the lenses, but it has not that much capability. So, basically we are making a bridge in between these two worlds."

6. Low shot of attendee removing virtual reality headset

7. Various of Phil Charnock, SwapBots, demonstrating SwapBots augmented reality toys

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Phil Charnock, SwapBots:

"When you're young yourself, you imagine your toys coming to life. And now you can - I won't say replace your imagination - but you can kind of see your imagination actually living on the screen. You can see the toy itself, starting to move around, see them battle with each other and I think that's an incredible thing to be feeding kids' imaginations like that."

9. Pull out from SwapBots toy to tablet showing augmented reality technology

10. Various of Charles Van Overmeire, xRapid, demonstrating xRapid automated diagnostic app with microscope

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Charles Van Overmeire, xRapid:

"We take a blood sample, we use any kind of microscope and with the iPhone app that we developed, we can tell you if you are sick or not, we give all the important details to the doctor to give the right diagnostic and the right treatment to patients."

12. Various of Johnny Moon, Attocube, demonstrating Attocube smartphone-connected wooden block learning game

13. Tilt up of smartphone showing Attocube app and complete letter 'D'

14. Pull out of blocks showing completed letter 'D'

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Johnny Moon, Attocube:

"We created this cube and children learn the alphabet or numbers or images and create different patterns, and they make more and more creative, and (the) brain strengthens, yeah."

16. Various of Chad Cribbins, Firef.ly, demonstrating Firef.ly travel smartphone app

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Chad Cribbins, Firef.ly:

"You look at Facebook, it's great for peeling through somebody's wall, but it's a sporadic hit of a bunch of different things, it doesn't join up the story. So, ours is uniquely dedicated to a journal of your travels, that you can peel back through time. So, all these lines that we capture, over months and months, even just living in London, becomes an interesting narrative for you to hold onto."

18. Wide tilt down to TechCrunch Disrupt London 2016 show floor

19. Wide of sign, reading (English): 'Startup Battlefield'

20. Various of booths and attendees

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Butcher, Editor At Large, TechCrunch:

"It still remains, whatever you want to say about Brexit or anything else, London and the UK is still the biggest hub of startup ecosystems in the whole of Europe and that's really not going to change anytime soon."

22. Various of booths and attendees

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Butcher, Editor At Large, TechCrunch:

"It's going to be about talent because migration and skilled migration are hugely at the core of startups. You know, the two things that affect startups are money and talent, and talent is really going to be affected by Brexit, how people get visas, how people access the UK, and how people are able to hire into the UK. Brexit is absolutely the core of this conversation about startups today."

24. Tilt down to TechCrunch Disrupt London 2016 show floor

25. Close of tank robot toy moving

LEAD IN:

Virtual and augmented reality, health technology and mobile tech are taking centre stage at the annual TechCrunch Disrupt startup event in London.

According to a recent report, the British capital remains Europe's biggest tech hub despite the recent 'Leave' EU vote.

Experts say how migration is managed once Britain leaves the 28-nation bloc could be pivotal for the city's future tech scene.

STORY-LINE:

During London's 2012 Olympic Games, the Copper Box Arena hosted fencing duels and handball matches.

Four years on, a completely different type of competition is hotting up.

At TechCrunch Disrupt London, an annual tech conference, fledgling companies are competing for venture capitalists' attention in 'Start-Up Alley' and 'Battlefield' areas.

The 'Startup Battlefield' gives entrants the chance to feverishly pitch their company to a panel of judges. The winning team takes away a prize of 50,000 US dollars.

Virtual reality is a hot tech trend currently, but high-cost headsets mean many are yet to sample premium VR content.

Poland-based RiftCat is aiming to change that.

Its developers created PC technology that allows gamers to play high-quality VR games through simple mobile VR viewers like Google Cardboard.

VRidge - as it's called - is intended to act as a bridge between mobile and PC VR content.

"When you have two branches of virtual reality, the PC VR and mobile VR and they both have their advantages and disadvantages - PC VR is the highest quality, but it's expensive and mobile VR is cheap because you can use your phone and put it, you have only the lenses, but it has not that much capability," explains Marek Antoniuk from RiftCat.

"So, basically we are making a bridge in between these two worlds."

Hot on the heels of virtual reality, augmented reality - or AR - is becoming a popular topic following the global success of smartphone game 'Pokemon Go'.

Liverpool-based SwapBots created an augmented reality game which seemingly brings simple cardboard toys to life.

Users can combine boxes to create different characters, there's a variety of single and multiplayer games for players to explore.

"When you're young yourself, you imagine your toys coming to life," explains Phil Charnock from SwapBots.

"And now you can - I won't say replace your imagination - but you can kind of see your imagination living on the screen.

"You can see the toy itself, starting to move around, see them battle with each other and I think that's an incredible thing to be feeding kids' imaginations like that."

Medtech company xRapid is demonstrating its automated diagnostic smartphone app, designed to diagnose diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.

Using the smartphone's camera and when connected to a microscope, the app deploys digital imaging and artificial intelligence to analyse smear tests.

It's claimed the technology is particularly useful in remote areas, far from trained doctors or a reliable internet connection.

"We take a blood sample, we use any kind of microscope and with the iPhone app that we developed, we can tell you if you are sick or not, give all the important details to the doctor to give the right diagnostic and the right treatment to patients," explains Charles Van Overmeire from xRapid.

Seoul-based Attocube is demonstrating its smartphone-connected wooden blocks, designed to inspire and educate young minds.

Players are challenged to create various letters, numbers and shapes using cubes decorated with different geometric patterns.

The idea is to boost creativity and problem solving while still giving children screen time.

"We created this cube and children learn the alphabet or numbers or images and create different patterns, and they make more and more creative, and (the) brain strengthens, yeah," explains Johnny Moon from Attocube.

London-based Firef.ly is demonstrating its mobile travel app which combines planning, guides and journals all in one place.

Users can browse guidebooks, add locations to Buck Lists, shoot and embed videos and photos onto a map, and tailor digital postcards for friends and family back home.

The idea is to provide all smartphone-enabled travellers require in one app.

"You look at Facebook, it's great for peeling through somebody's wall, but it's a sporadic hit of a bunch of different things, it doesn't join up the story," explains Chad Cribbins from Firef.ly.

"So, ours is uniquely dedicated to a journal of your travels, that you can peel back through time.

"So, all these lines that we capture, over months and months, even just living in London, becomes an interesting narrative for you to hold onto."

Despite Britain's recent 'Leave' EU vote, London appears to be maintaining its place as Europe's tech capital.

According to the recent 'State of European Tech' report by tech investment firm Atomico, London boasts over 300,000 developers.

French capital Paris came in second with over 134,000 - less than half London's total.

"It still remains, whatever you want to say about Brexit or anything else, London and the UK is still the biggest hub of startup ecosystems in the whole of Europe and that's really not going to change anytime soon," says Mike Butcher from tech website TechCrunch.

Despite that, Butcher says how Britain handles migration once it exits the 28-nation bloc could be pivotal for London's startup scene.

"It's going to be about talent because migration and skilled migration are hugely at the core of startups," he says.

"You know, the two things that affect startups are money and talent, and talent is really going to be affected by Brexit, how people get visas, how people access the UK, and how people are able to hire into the UK.

"Brexit is absolutely the core of this conversation about startups today."

TechCrunch Disrupt London 2016 runs 5-6 December at the Copper Box Arena in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

London, UK - 5 December 2016

1. High wide shot of TechCrunch Disrupt London 2016 show floor

2. Wide of booths and attendees

3. Tilt down from 'Startup Battlefield' sign to show floor

4. Various of Marek Antoniuk, RiftCat, demonstrating RiftCat VRidge virtual reality technology

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Marek Antoniuk, RiftCat:

"When you have two branches of virtual reality, the PC VR and mobile VR and they both have their advantages and disadvantages - PC VR is the highest quality, but it's expensive and mobile VR is cheap because you can use your phone and put it, you have only the lenses, but it has not that much capability. So, basically we are making a bridge in between these two worlds."

6. Low shot of attendee removing virtual reality headset

7. Various of Phil Charnock, SwapBots, demonstrating SwapBots augmented reality toys

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Phil Charnock, SwapBots:

"When you're young yourself, you imagine your toys coming to life. And now you can - I won't say replace your imagination - but you can kind of see your imagination actually living on the screen. You can see the toy itself, starting to move around, see them battle with each other and I think that's an incredible thing to be feeding kids' imaginations like that."

9. Pull out from SwapBots toy to tablet showing augmented reality technology

10. Various of Charles Van Overmeire, xRapid, demonstrating xRapid automated diagnostic app with microscope

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Charles Van Overmeire, xRapid:

"We take a blood sample, we use any kind of microscope and with the iPhone app that we developed, we can tell you if you are sick or not, we give all the important details to the doctor to give the right diagnostic and the right treatment to patients."

12. Various of Johnny Moon, Attocube, demonstrating Attocube smartphone-connected wooden block learning game

13. Tilt up of smartphone showing Attocube app and complete letter 'D'

14. Pull out of blocks showing completed letter 'D'

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Johnny Moon, Attocube:

"We created this cube and children learn the alphabet or numbers or images and create different patterns, and they make more and more creative, and (the) brain strengthens, yeah."

16. Various of Chad Cribbins, Firef.ly, demonstrating Firef.ly travel smartphone app

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Chad Cribbins, Firef.ly:

"You look at Facebook, it's great for peeling through somebody's wall, but it's a sporadic hit of a bunch of different things, it doesn't join up the story. So, ours is uniquely dedicated to a journal of your travels, that you can peel back through time. So, all these lines that we capture, over months and months, even just living in London, becomes an interesting narrative for you to hold onto."

18. Wide tilt down to TechCrunch Disrupt London 2016 show floor

19. Wide of sign, reading (English): 'Startup Battlefield'

20. Various of booths and attendees

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Butcher, Editor At Large, TechCrunch:

"It still remains, whatever you want to say about Brexit or anything else, London and the UK is still the biggest hub of startup ecosystems in the whole of Europe and that's really not going to change anytime soon."

22. Various of booths and attendees

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Butcher, Editor At Large, TechCrunch:

"It's going to be about talent because migration and skilled migration are hugely at the core of startups. You know, the two things that affect startups are money and talent, and talent is really going to be affected by Brexit, how people get visas, how people access the UK, and how people are able to hire into the UK. Brexit is absolutely the core of this conversation about startups today."

24. Tilt down to TechCrunch Disrupt London 2016 show floor

25. Close of tank robot toy moving

This should be a fine time for British carmakers, with sales increasing nicely, but for one major storm front - the impossible-to-predict ramifications of the country's vote to leave the European Union (EU).

As British industry leaders showed off their wares on Wednesday beneath the Eiffel Tower and ahead of the Paris Auto Show, Britain's EU exit, or 'Brexit', remains vexing because it's still not clear exactly how the complex and highly globalised auto trade will be affected.

Michael Hawes, Chief Executive at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), told those gathered in Paris on Wednesday that the single market was "fundamental to the current strength we're enjoying".

Hawes added that the British government now has "a major challenge" to balance the wishes of the British public with the continued success of the auto industry.

The sector has attracted record investment in recent years of 3.5 billion pounds (USD 4,549,119,400), but auto industry representatives like Hanno Kirner, Executive Director of Corporate Strategy at Jaguar Land Rover Automotive, said the key to ongoing success "is we have to maintain free trade with Europe".

Many expect Brexit to be disruptive, and to raise costs for companies, but the hard talk negotiations between Britain and the EU on the crucial issues of tariffs and the free movement of labour are still months away - and will possibly take years to resolve.

That means years of uncertainty over the cost of building cars in Britain and the ease of exporting them to other EU countries.

It will also create doubts about how difficult it will become to import vital car parts from other EU countries, to say nothing of the restrictions likely to be put in place on the free movement of skilled workers needed to assemble vehicles.

This is the main reason investment has slowed in an industry that was enjoying a good run of health - production grew more than 12 per cent in the first half of 2016 compared to the year before.

While the drop in the pound since the June vote to leave the EU has helped car exports from Britain, overall uncertainties are casting a shadow over the future.

"We had a short-term gain but we are very mindful of the long term," Simon Sproule, marketing director for Aston Martin, said in Paris.

He said the company's investment plan remains "completely unchanged since Brexit," at least for now. And it's focusing on non-European markets, too.

Carmakers do not know how much production costs will surge, and whether the increases, possibly in the form of higher tariffs, will end Britain's attractiveness as a platform for building cars and getting them into the European market.

There was one possible sign of a continental divide: while international carmakers are unveiling a slew of new models at the Paris Car Show this week, Land Rover chose to stay on the other side of the English Channel to demonstrate its latest model Wednesday.

Company officials played down any political message behind the decision. But with the industry converging on Paris this week, whether to consider British manufacturers part of the European market is a question on many minds.

Paris - 28 September 2016

1. Pan from Eiffel Tower to British-made cars on display

2. Cars on display

3. Close of Jaguar engraved in air intake

4. Pan of new Jaguar SUV

5. Hanno Kirner talking to reporters

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Hanno Kirner, Executive Director of Corporate Strategy at Jaguar Land Rover Automotive:

"Key to us is we have to maintain free trade with Europe. Key is that we continue to have access to global talent and key for us is that industrial regulation doesn't change. Those are the three points that are really important to us and we're trying to talk to government to explain, we're trying to talk to European governments to explain and we believe it's in the mutual interest of both the UK and European countries to maintain those three key points."

7. Kirner

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Hanno Kirner, Executive Director of Corporate Strategy at Jaguar Land Rover Automotive:

"We cannot stop investing. We are in a long-term industry. We have been investing nearly a billion pounds (1,299,767,000 US dollars) in our engine manufacturing capacity in Wolverhampton. We just continue to grow and so we cannot make our decisions dependent on political singular events so our investment this year - 3.5 billion pounds (4,549,119,400 US dollars) in the UK, the biggest industrial investment - is going to continue what it is and is going to go forward."

9. Aston Martin DB11

10. Aston Martin logo

11. Pan of DB11

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Simon Sproule, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Aston Martin:

"What we've seen in the short term is currency wins with the devaluation of the pound. As an exporter - and we're dominantly an exporter from the UK - that's been a benefit to us. The economic uncertainty is still out there. We're scenario planning. The short-term impact in terms of the British economy does not seem to be so severe. We're seeing a little hesitation in the market but overall, we're pretty much business as usual. But we're planning obviously for when Article 50 is triggered and then we start to get in the discussions."

13. cutaways of Sproule

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Simon Sproule, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Aston Martin:

"No, in fact our investment plans are completely unchanged before Brexit and after Brexit. We announced before Brexit that we are going to invest in a new manufacturing plant in the UK. That's the second manufacturing plant, a plant in Wales that's going to create 750 jobs. Additionally we are going to create another 250 jobs in the West Midlands so that's a thousand direct jobs by the end of the decade just for Aston Martin and those plans are unchanged."

15. Auto industry representatives on stage

16. Representatives on stage with cars

17. Tilt-down from Eiffel Tower to stage with cars

18. Michael Hawes giving interview

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Hawes, Chief Executive at Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT):

"The current uncertainties are significant and business never likes uncertainty. The Government has a major challenge now that it's facing. An industry like ours, we want to remain within the single market but we recognise the challenge that's been put forward as a result of the referendum. People voted due to concerns around immigration and the two are not necessarily compatible. Our role is to ensure we reflect our members', the industry's view and that is from a business perspective that being part of the single market is fundamental to the current strength that we enjoy."

20. Sacre Coeur church through window of convention room on first floor of Eiffel Tower

21. Various of crowd attending UK automaker industry event

22. Close of Great Britain campaign logo

23. Wide of Mark Garnier walking onto podium

24. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Garnier, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Trade:

"The British people have spoken and we live in a democracy and we will deliver that democracy. But for people like me, it's incredibly important that when I go back to Westminster, we are delivering these messages which you are giving us. The SMMT are very efficient at engaging with parliamentarians and making sure we understand what's important to you. We know, full well, that you need to be able to secure, in the long term, zero tariff access to the single market. We also know full well that it is incredibly important that you can get engineers when you need them that can either move around your businesses that are pan-European or if you are not, that you can source engineers from other parts of the EU to come in and help your businesses develop and grow stronger."

25. Garnier talking

26. Crowd

The threat of Brexit is delivering a Christmas shopping bonanza to Northern Ireland, where thousands visiting daily from the euro-using Republic of Ireland are finding bargains driven by the battered pound.

In the malls of Newry, a Northern Ireland tow