LEAD IN

Brexit uncertainty has led to some jitters within the travel industry ahead of the traditional getaway to tourist hotspots like Lapland.

Some are noticing later bookings than usual, but the delay in Brexit has been welcomed by others serving the UK market.

STORY-LINE

Santa doesn't have to worry about renewing his passport to travel the globe and visit UK children this year.

He was saved at the last minute by the latest January Brexit extension.

The UK is due to leave the European Union by the end of January, while Finland, the official home of Santa Claus, remains a member.

It's been three years since Brits voted in a referendum to leave the EU, and an air of uncertainty has hovered over many industries ever since.

Kirsi Jokela is originally from Lapland and now works in London for the Nordic travel company, Best Served Scandinavia.

She says one thing she has noticed since the referendum is that Brits are booking holidays to Lapland much later in the year than previously, a possible result of economic uncertainty.

However she says the quantity of bookings is still high:

"We are actually looking forward to one of our best Decembers yet, we still have a few rooms available."

She adds that due to counter currency exchange fluctuations and the weakening of the pound, they are now offering price guarentees.

"We've been offering a Brexit price guarantee which means that we will honour the exchange rate at the time of booking, which seems to be encouraging people to book."

Ilkka Lankinen is the chief experience officer at one of Lapland's main tourist attarctions, Santa Park.

Speaking in London he says the Brexit extension is " definitely good news for us, and also because the UK market is great for us, we love the UK guests and they love us. Now we have snow, now we have cold and now we have no Brexit at least at the moment so it's looking good for Christmas."

Sean Tipton from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) agrees that economic uncertainty around Brexit doesn't seem to be putting off the average Lapland tourist.

Firstly, he says, many choose package deals which are paid for in sterling and secondly most are aware that it is not a cheap holiday destination to begin with.

However he adds that there are two major practical considerations to take into account once Britain is no longer a member of the EU.

"First of all your European health insurance card gives you access to state medical care which is very good in Finland, you won't be able to use that, so you need to have decent travel insurance," he says.

"And check your passport, because you'll need at least 6 months validity left on the end of your passport, which currently you don't, but again that's only an issue if your passport is due for renewal. So if it is check it and renew it now, it doesn't take very long, it's a pretty efficient process."

Tipton advises that during these uncertain times, which have also recently seen major travel group Thomas Cook collapse, it's always safer to book a package holiday.

Rovaniemi, Finland - 12 December 2018

1. Low shot of Santa walking through forest at Santa Claus Village

2. Santa arriving at sleigh

Rovaniemi, Finland - 16 December 2018

3. Tracking of reindeer pulling sleigh at Santa Claus Village

4. Various of tourists taking reindeer sleigh rides

London, UK – 17 October 2019

5. Tilt down from World map to Kirsi Jokela, Scandinavia Product & Trade Sales Manager, 'Best Served Scandinavia'

6. Close of Best Served Scandinavia brochure where Jokela is looking at images of Lapland

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Kirsi Jokela, Scandinavia Product & Trade Sales Manager, 'Best Served Scandinavia'

"I think what we've noticed is that people are booking a lot later than they used to, which might sometimes mean that they don't get their first choice of holiday, but we are actually looking forward to one of our best Decembers yet, we still have a few rooms available."

Rovaniemi, Finland - 12 December 2016

8. Pan right of sunrise on River Kemijoki

9. Close of frozen branch

10. Tilt up of snow-covered tree

11. Wide of sunrise on River Kemijoki

London, UK – 17 October 2019

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Kirsi Jokela, Scandinavia Product & Trade Sales Manager, 'Best Served Scandinavia'

"So one thing that could change post Brexit is the currency exchange and we've been offering a Brexit price guarantee which means that we will honour the exchange rate at the time of booking, which seems to be encouraging people to book."

Rovaniemi, Finland – 9 December 2017

++NIGHT SHOTS++

13. Wide of Santa Claus Village

14. Tilt down of Santa Claus Village entrance

15. Santa Claus and elves packing presents

London, UK - 4 November 2019

16. Tilt down people dressed as Finnish characters at Visit Finland stand at World Travel Market at ExCeL London

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Ilkka Lankinen, Chief Experience Officer, Santa Park, Arctic World, Finland:

"Since Brexit is now at least postponed for some time, that's good news, and I think that the market feel at the moment at least that we are getting is that it's kind of a stand still because everybody is waiting to have a decision one way or another way."

18. Mid of people dressed as Finnish characters posing for photos with WTM visitor

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Ilkka Lankinen, Chief Experience Officer, Santa Park, Arctic World, Finland:

"It's definitely good news for us, and also because the UK market is great for us, we love the UK guests and they love us. Now we have snow, now we have cold and now we have no Brexit at least at the moment so it's looking good for Christmas."

Rovaniemi, Finland - 10 December 2016

20. Low shot of child on ice slide at Snowman World ice bar

21. Pan left of children using ice slide

22. Pull out of corridor in ice bar, chandeliers hanging from ceiling

23. Pull focus between chandeliers

London, UK – 17 October 2019

24. Pull focus from orchid on desk to receptionist and sign reading (English) ABTA The Travel Association

25. Close of sign reading (English) ABTA The Travel Association

26. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Tipton, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) spokesperson:

"If you look at the ways that people get to go to Lapland on these trips to see Father Christmas they're generally packages. Now one of the advantages of a package is you pay it in Sterling, so you don't have to worry about fluctuations of exchange rates, obviously there will be maybe day to day expenses when you get there but people are aware of the fact that it's not the cheapest destination to travel to so I don't think budget is really a problem for most people going, and again once you are there it's a pretty magical experience and it's not something you're going to do every year it's probably a one off when your kids are very small."

Rovaniemi, Finland - 16 December 2018

27. Various of tourists melting marshmallows by fire

London, UK – 17 October 2019

28. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Tipton, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) spokesperson:

"First of all, your European health insurance card gives you access to state medical care, which is very good in Finland. You won't be able to use that. So you need to have decent travel insurance. And the chances are you are not going to fall ill but it's always a possibility so have decent travel insurance."

Rovaniemi, Finland - 10 December 2016

29. Wide of Santa and sleigh

30. Close of reindeer

London, UK – 17 October 2019

31. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Tipton, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) spokesperson:

"And check your passport, because you'll need at least 6 months validity left on the end of your passport, which currently you don't, but again that's only an issue if your passport is due for renewal. So if it is check it and renew it now, it doesn't take very long, it's a pretty efficient process."

Rovaniemi, Finland - 12 December 2018

++NIGHT SHOTS++

32. Wide of lights at 'Santa Claus Village' at night

33. Pan from Christmas tree to building

34. Pull focus of lights on Christmas tree

35 . Various of Santa Claus reading letter

London, UK – 17 October 2019

36. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Tipton, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) spokesperson:

"By Thomas Cook going that's created opportunities for the travel companies that are left so that is a way is a form of boost to them. But I can't deny there might be other travel companies going out of business, that's why it's important that you book a package holiday, because as we saw with Thomas Cook if you've got a package you will continue with your holiday as normal, if they go out of business while you're there and they'll bring you home free of charge. And if you're due to go you'll get a full refund. So don't worry about it in that sense, but the chances of you being personally affected by a travel company failure are pretty small."

Rovaniemi, Finland - 10 December 2016

37. Various of Santa Claus riding away on sleigh

LEAD IN

Brexit uncertainty has led to some jitters within the travel industry ahead of the traditional getaway to tourist hotspots like Lapland.

Some are noticing later bookings than usual, but the delay in Brexit has been welcomed by others serving the UK market.

STORY-LINE

Santa doesn't have to worry about renewing his passport to travel the globe and visit UK children this year.

He was saved at the last minute by the latest January Brexit extension.

The UK is due to leave the European Union by the end of January, while Finland, the official home of Santa Claus, remains a member.

It's been three years since Brits voted in a referendum to leave the EU, and an air of uncertainty has hovered over many industries ever since.

Kirsi Jokela is originally from Lapland and now works in London for the Nordic travel company, Best Served Scandinavia.

She says one thing she has noticed since the referendum is that Brits are booking holidays to Lapland much later in the year than previously, a possible result of economic uncertainty.

However she says the quantity of bookings is still high:

"We are actually looking forward to one of our best Decembers yet, we still have a few rooms available."

She adds that due to counter currency exchange fluctuations and the weakening of the pound, they are now offering price guarentees.

"We've been offering a Brexit price guarantee which means that we will honour the exchange rate at the time of booking, which seems to be encouraging people to book."

Ilkka Lankinen is the chief experience officer at one of Lapland's main tourist attarctions, Santa Park.

Speaking in London he says the Brexit extension is " definitely good news for us, and also because the UK market is great for us, we love the UK guests and they love us. Now we have snow, now we have cold and now we have no Brexit at least at the moment so it's looking good for Christmas."

Sean Tipton from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) agrees that economic uncertainty around Brexit doesn't seem to be putting off the average Lapland tourist.

Firstly, he says, many choose package deals which are paid for in sterling and secondly most are aware that it is not a cheap holiday destination to begin with.

However he adds that there are two major practical considerations to take into account once Britain is no longer a member of the EU.

"First of all your European health insurance card gives you access to state medical care which is very good in Finland, you won't be able to use that, so you need to have decent travel insurance," he says.

"And check your passport, because you'll need at least 6 months validity left on the end of your passport, which currently you don't, but again that's only an issue if your passport is due for renewal. So if it is check it and renew it now, it doesn't take very long, it's a pretty efficient process."

Tipton advises that during these uncertain times, which have also recently seen major travel group Thomas Cook collapse, it's always safer to book a package holiday.

Rovaniemi, Finland - 12 December 2018

1. Low shot of Santa walking through forest at Santa Claus Village

2. Santa arriving at sleigh

Rovaniemi, Finland - 16 December 2018

3. Tracking of reindeer pulling sleigh at Santa Claus Village

4. Various of tourists taking reindeer sleigh rides

London, UK – 17 October 2019

5. Tilt down from World map to Kirsi Jokela, Scandinavia Product & Trade Sales Manager, 'Best Served Scandinavia'

6. Close of Best Served Scandinavia brochure where Jokela is looking at images of Lapland

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Kirsi Jokela, Scandinavia Product & Trade Sales Manager, 'Best Served Scandinavia'

"I think what we've noticed is that people are booking a lot later than they used to, which might sometimes mean that they don't get their first choice of holiday, but we are actually looking forward to one of our best Decembers yet, we still have a few rooms available."

Rovaniemi, Finland - 12 December 2016

8. Pan right of sunrise on River Kemijoki

9. Close of frozen branch

10. Tilt up of snow-covered tree

11. Wide of sunrise on River Kemijoki

London, UK – 17 October 2019

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Kirsi Jokela, Scandinavia Product & Trade Sales Manager, 'Best Served Scandinavia'

"So one thing that could change post Brexit is the currency exchange and we've been offering a Brexit price guarantee which means that we will honour the exchange rate at the time of booking, which seems to be encouraging people to book."

Rovaniemi, Finland – 9 December 2017

++NIGHT SHOTS++

13. Wide of Santa Claus Village

14. Tilt down of Santa Claus Village entrance

15. Santa Claus and elves packing presents

London, UK - 4 November 2019

16. Tilt down people dressed as Finnish characters at Visit Finland stand at World Travel Market at ExCeL London

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Ilkka Lankinen, Chief Experience Officer, Santa Park, Arctic World, Finland:

"Since Brexit is now at least postponed for some time, that's good news, and I think that the market feel at the moment at least that we are getting is that it's kind of a stand still because everybody is waiting to have a decision one way or another way."

18. Mid of people dressed as Finnish characters posing for photos with WTM visitor

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Ilkka Lankinen, Chief Experience Officer, Santa Park, Arctic World, Finland:

"It's definitely good news for us, and also because the UK market is great for us, we love the UK guests and they love us. Now we have snow, now we have cold and now we have no Brexit at least at the moment so it's looking good for Christmas."

Rovaniemi, Finland - 10 December 2016

20. Low shot of child on ice slide at Snowman World ice bar

21. Pan left of children using ice slide

22. Pull out of corridor in ice bar, chandeliers hanging from ceiling

23. Pull focus between chandeliers

London, UK – 17 October 2019

24. Pull focus from orchid on desk to receptionist and sign reading (English) ABTA The Travel Association

25. Close of sign reading (English) ABTA The Travel Association

26. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Tipton, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) spokesperson:

"If you look at the ways that people get to go to Lapland on these trips to see Father Christmas they're generally packages. Now one of the advantages of a package is you pay it in Sterling, so you don't have to worry about fluctuations of exchange rates, obviously there will be maybe day to day expenses when you get there but people are aware of the fact that it's not the cheapest destination to travel to so I don't think budget is really a problem for most people going, and again once you are there it's a pretty magical experience and it's not something you're going to do every year it's probably a one off when your kids are very small."

Rovaniemi, Finland - 16 December 2018

27. Various of tourists melting marshmallows by fire

London, UK – 17 October 2019

28. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Tipton, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) spokesperson:

"First of all, your European health insurance card gives you access to state medical care, which is very good in Finland. You won't be able to use that. So you need to have decent travel insurance. And the chances are you are not going to fall ill but it's always a possibility so have decent travel insurance."

Rovaniemi, Finland - 10 December 2016

29. Wide of Santa and sleigh

30. Close of reindeer

London, UK – 17 October 2019

31. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Tipton, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) spokesperson:

"And check your passport, because you'll need at least 6 months validity left on the end of your passport, which currently you don't, but again that's only an issue if your passport is due for renewal. So if it is check it and renew it now, it doesn't take very long, it's a pretty efficient process."

Rovaniemi, Finland - 12 December 2018

++NIGHT SHOTS++

32. Wide of lights at 'Santa Claus Village' at night

33. Pan from Christmas tree to building

34. Pull focus of lights on Christmas tree

35 . Various of Santa Claus reading letter

London, UK – 17 October 2019

36. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Tipton, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) spokesperson:

"By Thomas Cook going that's created opportunities for the travel companies that are left so that is a way is a form of boost to them. But I can't deny there might be other travel companies going out of business, that's why it's important that you book a package holiday, because as we saw with Thomas Cook if you've got a package you will continue with your holiday as normal, if they go out of business while you're there and they'll bring you home free of charge. And if you're due to go you'll get a full refund. So don't worry about it in that sense, but the chances of you being personally affected by a travel company failure are pretty small."

Rovaniemi, Finland - 10 December 2016

37. Various of Santa Claus riding away on sleigh

UK BREXIT CHRISTMAS

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

RESTRICTIONS: AP CLIENTS ONLY

LENGTH: 6:26

SHOTLIST:

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

London, UK - 29 October 2018

1. Close of British Lion Christmas decoration, by Aerloom London, at the Spirit of Christmas Fair 2018 at Olympia London

2. Mid of crown Christmas decoration being placed between two British Bulldog decorations

3. Wide of display featuring various Christmas decorations by Aerloom London

4. Founder of Aerloom London Ania Zankowska speaking to customer

UPSOUND (English) Customer: "Are these sprouts or cabbages?"

Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London: "Sprouts. The idea was to create a Brussels Sprout"

5. Mid of stand of Brussels Sprout decorations next to Aerloom London gift bags

6. Top shot of Brussels Sprouts decorations next to cracker decoration reading 2018

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London

"It was just natural to go with the British theme to celebrate the fact that I live in the Kingdom, which obviously was very unusual for me coming from Poland. So the first collection comprised of typically British pieces and they are very popular now, not just in Britain but all around the world."

8. Mid of Queen decoration in front of Corgi decoration

9. Pull focus on side angle of Queen decoration

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London

"I'm not feeling it (Brexit) yet, of course we're all very much curious about what's going to happen in the future. I'm remaining very positive. I work very closely with the Department of Trade and Investment, who assure me that the situation will be well monitored and the support I've received will be continued."

11. Mid of stand of Brussels Sprouts decoration

12. Top shot of Zankowska organising boxes of decorations

13. Tilt down wreath with decorations

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London

"The best sellers in my collection are the Queen ornaments, the bulldogs and the lions and this is very much supported by the sales with the British retailers and I think everyone feels immensely proud to be British during Christmas time."

15. Close of bow being tied on gift bag

16. Wide of visitors walking past Christmas tree at Spirit of Christmas event

17. Tilt down from ceiling of Olympia to stands at Spirit of Christmas

18. Wide of visitors walking past Village Workshop stand

19. Tilt up of gingerbread Big Ben

20. Wide of gingerbread Big Ben

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Itet Radcliffe, Founder, Village Workshop

"I was really looking for something iconic that will relate to England, and if you see Big Ben then immediately it's London, it's England."

22. Mid of Radcliffe arranging gingerbread houses on stand

23. Mid of gingerbread items on stand

24. SOUNDBITE (English) Itet Radcliffe, Founder, Village Workshop

"We sell through online shops and they distribute to Europe and they haven't given us any indication that things will be changing. For this year definitely we haven't seen any change, no repercussions at all."

25. Tilt up gingerbread Big Ben

26. SOUNDBITE (English) Itet Radcliffe, Founder, Village Workshop

"Well I think people like to associate what they are buying as made in England. I think on that line, yes, here people are quite aware of where it's coming from, so made in England is quite a lot of difference."

27. Close of top of Big Ben

28. Wide of Eadie family members working on The Oxton Liqueur Company stand

29. Mid of customer trying flavoured liqueur

30. Various of flavoured liqueur bottles

31. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Eadie, Owner, The Oxton Liqueur Company

"Well in the run up to Brexit we've seen the currency move from about 140 to about 110 (British pound to Euro), so we've seen an increase in the price of goods that we buy from Europe of about 25 per cent. So that for us is all our glass, that comes from Italy, from Germany and from France. So already there's been a huge impact, what will happen after Brexit we'll have to see, but time will tell."

32. Mid of flavoured liqueur bottles

33. Customer trying flavoured liqueur

34. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Eadie, Owner, The Oxton Liqueur Company

"You know the exchange rate swung 25 percent, it may turn around, there may be a movement in the other direction, that would be good. Obviously for people exporting it's been incredibly beneficial. So it depends on which side you're on as to whether you've benefited or whether you haven't."

35. Mid of flavoured liqueur bottles on front of stand

36. Wide of visitors climbing stairs in event hall with shopping bags

37. SOUNDBITE (English) Stuart Hunter, Portfolio Director, Clarion Events (Organisers of Spirit of Christmas Fair)

"At the moment in terms of Brexit having any impact to us and the show we're not seeing any, but obviously we do have a lot of conversations with our exhibitors and obviously there's some nervousness, I think certainly probably overall this year in terms of the trade side of business, there's been a bit of a sluggish approach to some of the retail elements."

38. Mid of packaged Christmas puddings

39. Mid of Christmas pudding in front of wooden boxes reading (English) "Made in the UK"

40. SOUNDBITE (English) Stuart Hunter, Portfolio Director, Clarion Events (Organisers of Spirit of Christmas Fair)

"It remains to be seen whether the spend will be the same as we are on site this week, we'll find that out, exhibitors will tell us. We measure that post show as well so we do lots of research. But on the evidence of today it's felt busy, buzzy, lots of shopping bags going out of the doors, so it feels like it's business as usual for us."

41. Mid of bauble on Christmas tree

LEADIN:

The UK is preparing for its final Christmas before leaving the European Union.

Retailers at the annual Spirit of Christmas event in London have mixed feelings about how Brexit will affect future trade.

STORYLINE

The British lion: a symbol of pride and patriotism in the UK.

But as Britain prepares to leave the EU there is ongoing uncertainty about the country's future - not least about how it will affect trade.

At this year's Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia in London, retailers and exhibitors are showcasing their goods for the festive period.

Ania Zankowska, the founder of Aerloom London, has an array of quintessentially British looking Christmas decorations. As well as a lion she has the Queen, corgis, crowns and British bulldogs.

And as we approach Brexit she's even got "Brussels" Sprouts.  

As someone who originated from Europe - she was born in Poland - her British pieces were originally a celebration of her move to the UK.

She says they remain incredibly popular to this day: "Not just in Britain but all around the world."

With business still booming Zankowska says she hasn't suffered any negative effects from Brexit yet:

"I'm remaining very positive. I work very closely with the Department of Trade and Investment, who assure me that the situation will be well monitored and the support I've received will be continued," she says.

Another exhibitor selling iconic British images this Christmas is the founder of Village Workshop, Itet Radcliffe.

Amongst her traditional gingerbread houses stands a large, gingerbread Big Ben, with Santa hanging off the top.

She says unless the online sites she sells through change their rules, after Britain officially leaves the EU on 29 March 2019, her business should remain stable:

"We sell through online shops and they distribute to Europe and they haven't given us any indication that things will be changing. For this year definitely we haven't seen any change, no repercussions at all," she says.

And she believes there is something about British made goods which still gives people the confidence to buy:

"Well I think people like to associate what they are buying as made in England. I think on that line, yes, here people are quite aware of where it's coming from, so made in England is quite a lot of difference."

While decorations representing British culture look to become a trend this Christmas, another product which will be popular is flavoured spirits and liqueurs.

The Oxton Liqueur Company is a family run business which hand makes fruity liqueurs from a farm in Nottinghamshire.

This year, alongside their Elderflower Gin and Bramble Whisky, they are showing off a Christmas Vodka.

But while the drinks themselves are very much made in Britain - the glass they sell them in comes from Europe. Owner of The Oxton Liqueur Company Christopher Eadie says Brexit related fluctuations in currency have come at a cost for him:

"We've seen an increase in the price of goods that we buy from Europe of about 25 per cent. So that for us is all our glass, that comes from Italy, from Germany and from France. So already there's been a huge impact, what will happen after Brexit we'll have to see," he says.

The Spirit of Christmas Fair is all about shopping and often a good indicator of consumer confidence and spending power.

Organisers say this year was a record year for visitor and exhibitor attendance.

Stuart Hunter is a Portfolio Director at Clarion Events which organises the Spirit of Christmas Fair.

He says Brexit is hot topic: "We do have a lot of conversations with our exhibitors and obviously there's some nervousness,"

However he adds:

"On the evidence of today it's felt busy, buzzy, lots of shopping bags going out of the doors, so it feels like it's business as usual for us."

The Spirit of Christmas Fair 2018 is on at Olympia London from 29 October to 4 November 2018.

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STORYLINE

Britain and the European Union warned December 8th that talks on a post-Brexit free-trade deal are teetering on the brink of collapse, with just over three weeks until an economic rupture that will cause upheaval for businesses on both sides of the English Channel.

Officials downplayed the chances of a breakthrough when Prime Minister Boris Johnson heads to Brussels for face-to-face talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the next few days.

With negotiators deadlocked on key issues after months of tense talks, German European Affairs Minister Michael Roth said the bloc’s confidence in Britain was hanging in the balance.

Johnson’s Downing Street office said the situation was “very tricky” and collapse of the talks was a distinct possibility.

Johnson and von der Leyen, head of the EU’s executive arm, spoke by phone December 7th for the second time in 48 hours.

They said afterwards that “significant differences” remained on three key issues - fishing rights, fair-competition rules and the governance of future disputes - and “the conditions for finalizing an agreement are not there.”

The two leaders said in the joint statement that they planned to discuss the remaining differences “in a physical meeting in Brussels in the coming days.”

Leaders of the EU's 27 nations are holding a two-day summit in Brussels starting Thursday.

***

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in Brussels on December 9th, ahead of crunch Brexit trade talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the evening.

The leaders of Britain and the European Union will meet for a dinner that could pave the way to a post-Brexit trade deal - or tip the two sides toward a chaotic economic rupture at the end of the month.

They have just a few hours over a multi-course meal to unstick negotiations that are deadlocked on key aspects of the future relationship for the EU and Britain.

The U.K. left the EU on Jan. 31st after 47 years of membership, but remains within the bloc’s tariff-free single market and customs union until the end of the year.

Reaching a trade deal by then would ensure there are no tariffs or quotas on trade in goods on Jan. 1st, although there would still be new costs and red tape for businesses.

Failure to secure a trade deal would mean tariffs and other barriers that would hurt both sides, although most economists think the British economy would take a greater hit because the U.K. does almost half of its trade with the bloc.

***

As Brexit talks enter their decisive final days, there's still a big catch: the fishing industry.

It is holding up the trade deal between the European Union and recently departed Britain, putting at risk hundreds of thousands of jobs and tens of billions of euros in annual production losses.

French fishermen are anxious about a looming no-deal Brexit, following months of talks by negotiators seeking to cobble together a trade deal in the wake of their Brexit divorce.

While French and other European fishermen currently take much of their catch in UK waters, a no-deal Brexit could end or significantly limit that.

Twenty-eight year old fisherman Mathieu Pinto is concerned about the prospects of a no-deal Brexit.

Docking his boat, L'Ophelea, in the French port of Boulogne-Sur-Mer after a night of fishing sea-snails or whelk, Pinto said that the vast majority of his catch comes from British waters and there will be a "huge impact" on his business.

Pinto believes the consequences of the end of the current fishing policies would mean war amongst European boats fishing across the same coastal waters in France.

There is essentially not enough to go around, he said.

Pinto talks with other fishermen here in Boulogne and he says they are all just as scared as he is.

He says he is not yet ready to sell his boat but as someone who learned the trade handed down through his family, he is quickly losing his passion.

As well as France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland and Denmark are among those directly implicated by the potential closing off of UK waters.

Brussels has proposed a 12-month period for continued reciprocal access to fishing waters but Britain has suggested this could be rejected.

For centuries, foreign fishermen shared the plentiful waters off Britain, and it has been no different since the UK joined the EU in 1973.

But as catches dwindled, sometimes to a fraction of their previous numbers because of ruthless overexploitation, the number of British fishermen has dwindled from 22,000 in 1975 to 12,000 in 2018.

Rightly or wrongly, EU trawlers venturing freely in UK waters came to be seen as a symbol of plunder and exploitation.

When Britain voted to leave, saving UK waters for UK fishermen became a rallying cry.

In an ideal scenario, British fishermen would have all the waters to themselves, able to expand what so long has been a diminishing industry but it's not that simple.

The EU came into the trade negotiations demanding that its boats continue being allowed to fish.

Even though Brexit left the bloc in a much weaker position, UK exports gave it leverage.

Some 80% of fish landed in the UK is exported, and three-quarters of that goes to the EU.

If the continent closes off its markets, fish would be left rotting on British quays.

The debate during the final days centers on how the issues of fishing rights for EU trawlers could be reconciled with low or no tariffs for UK exports through fish-processing hubs like Boulogne-sur-Mer.

***

Lorries travelling to the UK port of Dover were stuck in traffic jams that stretched back several kilometres on December 12th.

The queues built up even though it's three weeks before Britain leaves the European Union.

Logistics companies have reported a surge in demand for imports ahead of a potential no-deal Brexit.

The British government has warned that even with a deal, there could be queues as long as 100 kilometres if companies don't prepare the new paperwork.

***

Tensions were high in Dover on December 23rd as thousands of drivers remained stranded at the UK port.

Police were confronted by frustrated drivers in the road leading to the ferries, before backing away from the crowd.

People ran to return to their vehicles after officers signalled to move the traffic towards the port.

Many have been stuck in Dover for three days now after France banned travel from the UK on Sunday following news of a new variant of coronavirus spreading across south east England.

A deal was reached between the two countries to resume travel on December 23rd, as long as travellers showed a negative COVID test result from within the last 72 hours.

British Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said around 4,000 trucks may be waiting in the county of Kent to cross the Channel and urged other truckers not to head there until the backlog is cleared.

It will take “a few days” to test all the drivers before they can travel to France, he said.

***

Scuffles broke out at the UK's Dover Port on December 23rd when police attempted to clear a route for health workers to arrive as efforts to clear a backlog of stranded drivers continued.

A police escort led in a group of cars carrying National Health Service test and trace workers and people were instructed to return to their vehicles as testing was about to commence.

However, some drivers who were stranded at the port were protesting by blocking vehicles from leaving the port.

A man was removed by police officers when he laid down in front of a truck.

Another protester attempted to stop a bus of port workers from entering.

Gridlock at the English port had kept thousands of truckers and travellers stranded on Wednesday despite a deal with France to lift a two-day blockade imposed because of a new variant of the coronavirus that had isolated Britain and raised fears of food shortages.

Nations around the world began barring people from Britain over the weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that scientists said a new version of the virus whipping around London and England's southeast may be more contagious.

***

Britain's Brexit negotiator David Frost left the UK Mission in Brussels to go to the EU Commission on December 24th, as the two sides appeared to be on the cusp of striking a trade deal.

Negotiators from the European Union and Britain worked through the night and right into Christmas Eve to put the finishing touches on a trade deal that should avert a chaotic economic break between the two sides on New Year's Day.

After resolving the remaining fair-competition and almost all fisheries issues on December 23rd, negotiators combed through hundreds of pages of legal text that should become the blueprint for a post-Brexit relationship.

As during much of the nine-month negotiations, the issue of EU fleets in British waters proved the most intractable and divisive, with negotiators still haggling over quotas for some individual species as dawn came.

Still, sources on both sides said the long and difficult negotiations were on the cusp of being wrapped up as negotiators, holed up at EU headquarters in Brussels with a stack of pizzas, worked to deliver the text to their leaders on Thursday.

***

While corks may have popped in London and Brussels over reaching the relative certainty of a post-Brexit trade deal after years of delays and negotiations, there was one rocky speck of British soil still left in limbo.

Gibraltar, known colloquially as The Rock, is a UK colony jutting off the southern tip of Spain's mainland.

But it was not included in the agreement announced on Christmas Eve between the European Union and the UK to reorganise commercial and trade relations between the now 27-member bloc and the first nation to exit the group

The deadline for Gibraltar remains January 1st, when a transitionary period regulating the short frontier between Gibraltar and Spain expires.

If no deal is reached, there are serious concerns that a hard border would cause disruption for the workers, tourists and major business connections across the two sides.

More than 15,000 people live in Spain and work in Gibraltar, making up about 50% of Gibraltar's labour force, and their cross-border journeys help make up the 30 million annual crossings.

Oscar Aguilera is a 40-year-old resident of La Linea De La Concepcion, the Spanish town that borders Gibraltar.

Every day, he crosses the frontier to work for a cleaning company based on The Rock.

Aguilera says he relies heavily on a fluid border for his daily work commute and worries about what will happen if there is no deal.

The Rock was ceded to the UK in 1713, and for three centuries, the strategic outcrop of high terrain has given its navy command of the narrow seaway linking the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean.

Spain, however, has never dropped its claim to sovereignty over it and throughout the Brexit talks, it insisted it wants a say on the future of Gibraltar.

It succeeded in convincing the EU to separate the issue of Gibraltar from the wider Brexit negotiations, meaning that Madrid is handling all talks directly with its counterparts in Gibraltar and London.

The Spanish foreign ministry has warned that if an agreement is not reached before 1 January, the long lines of stranded truck drivers seen at the English Channel crossing could be repeated.

On Monday Spain's foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya reiterated that her government wants to reach a deal, adding that "there's no plan B", and that "either there's a deal with the United Kingdom or there's a hard border."

Lorenzo Pérez-Periañez, who represents the La Linea Association of Small and Medium enterprises, has no doubt that a hard border would be devastating for the economies of both Gibraltar and Spain.

But he is keen to stress that it's not all about the financial impact, as border restrictions will impact families living on both sides.

Gibraltar's population of about 34,000 was overwhelmingly against leaving the EU.

In the UK's 2016 Brexit referendum, 96% of voters in Gibraltar supported remaining in the EU, because they felt the trade bloc would give them more leverage to deal with Madrid.

***

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on December 30th signed the post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union.

Johnson told the media after the signing that "this is not the end, it is a new beginning".

Britain’s House of Commons voted to approve the deal, paving the way for an orderly break with the bloc that will finally complete the UK’s years-long Brexit journey.

With just a day to spare, lawmakers voted 521-73 December 30th to approve the agreement sealed between the UK government and the EU last week.

It will become British law once is passes through the unelected House of Lords on December 30th and gets formal royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II.

The UK left the EU almost a year ago, but remained within the bloc’s economic embrace during a transition period that ends at midnight Brussels time -- 11 p.m. in London - on December 31st.

02:01:31

00:00:00

GVs of EU buildings as Brexit stalemate remains

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brussels - 08 December 2020

1. Close of front of the European Commission logo

2. Wide of Christmas trees for sale in front of the European Commission

00:07:15

UK PM arrives at ambassador residence in Brussels

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brussels - 9 December 2020

++NIGHT SHOTS++

3. Various of U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson arriving at the residence of the U.K. ambassador to Belgium ahead of Brexit talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

00:12:07

French fishermen anxious over no-deal Brexit

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Boulogne-Sur-Mer - 10 December 2020

4. French fishing boat L'Ophelea arriving into Boulogne port after fishing overnight

5. Shellfish catch - whelk or sea snails- being unloaded from the boat

6. Fish and fishmongers

00:25:16

Lorries in long queues at Dover ahead of Brexit

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dover - 12 December 2020

7. Various of queues of lorries heading to Dover port

8. Dover port from the cliffs

00:37:16

Tensions high in Dover as some vehicles start move

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dover - 23 December 2020

9. Man confronts police officer in front of lorry

10. Row of police formed in front of lorry

00:45:16

Scuffles as police try to clear route for testing in Dover

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dover - 23 December 2020

11. Wide of man being removed from road by police officers

12. People demonstrating, one man stepping in front of bus

13. Police officers in front of road sign reading (English) "Return to vehicles, testing to commence"

00:57:16

Frost in Brussels on cusp of striking Brexit trade deal

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brussels - 24 December 2020

14. The UK's chief Brexit negotiator leaving the UK mission getting into car to go to the EU Commission, car leaving

01:05:08

Gibraltar’s post-Brexit border with Spain in limbo

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gibraltar - 22 December 2020

15. Workers crossing border into Gibraltar from Spain

16. Spanish worker Oscar Aguilera entering Gibraltar

Gibraltar - 19 December 2020

17. Various of people walking in town, at cafe

01:24:18

Johnson signs post Brexit trade deal

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UK POOL

London - 30 December 2020

18. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson signing trade deal, UPSOUND (English) Boris Johnson: " Here it is folks, this is it. And I know the question you will all be asking yourselves is, have I read it? The answer is yes. And it's an excellent deal for this country. But also, for our friends and partners. "

LEADIN:

The UK is preparing for its final Christmas before leaving the European Union.

Retailers at the annual Spirit of Christmas event in London have mixed feelings about how Brexit will affect future trade.

STORYLINE

The British lion: a symbol of pride and patriotism in the UK.

But as Britain prepares to leave the EU there is ongoing uncertainty about the country's future - not least about how it will affect trade.

At this year's Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia in London, retailers and exhibitors are showcasing their goods for the festive period.

Ania Zankowska, the founder of Aerloom London, has an array of quintessentially British looking Christmas decorations. As well as a lion she has the Queen, corgis, crowns and British bulldogs.

And as we approach Brexit she's even got "Brussels" Sprouts.  

As someone who originated from Europe - she was born in Poland - her British pieces were originally a celebration of her move to the UK.

She says they remain incredibly popular to this day: "Not just in Britain but all around the world."

With business still booming Zankowska says she hasn't suffered any negative effects from Brexit yet:

"I'm remaining very positive. I work very closely with the Department of Trade and Investment, who assure me that the situation will be well monitored and the support I've received will be continued," she says.

Another exhibitor selling iconic British images this Christmas is the founder of Village Workshop, Itet Radcliffe.

Amongst her traditional gingerbread houses stands a large, gingerbread Big Ben, with Santa hanging off the top.

She says unless the online sites she sells through change their rules, after Britain officially leaves the EU on 29 March 2019, her business should remain stable:

"We sell through online shops and they distribute to Europe and they haven't given us any indication that things will be changing. For this year definitely we haven't seen any change, no repercussions at all," she says.

And she believes there is something about British made goods which still gives people the confidence to buy:

"Well I think people like to associate what they are buying as made in England. I think on that line, yes, here people are quite aware of where it's coming from, so made in England is quite a lot of difference."

While decorations representing British culture look to become a trend this Christmas, another product which will be popular is flavoured spirits and liqueurs.

The Oxton Liqueur Company is a family run business which hand makes fruity liqueurs from a farm in Nottinghamshire.

This year, alongside their Elderflower Gin and Bramble Whisky, they are showing off a Christmas Vodka.

But while the drinks themselves are very much made in Britain - the glass they sell them in comes from Europe. Owner of The Oxton Liqueur Company Christopher Eadie says Brexit related fluctuations in currency have come at a cost for him:

"We've seen an increase in the price of goods that we buy from Europe of about 25 per cent. So that for us is all our glass, that comes from Italy, from Germany and from France. So already there's been a huge impact, what will happen after Brexit we'll have to see," he says.

The Spirit of Christmas Fair is all about shopping and often a good indicator of consumer confidence and spending power.

Organisers say this year was a record year for visitor and exhibitor attendance.

Stuart Hunter is a Portfolio Director at Clarion Events which organises the Spirit of Christmas Fair.

He says Brexit is hot topic: "We do have a lot of conversations with our exhibitors and obviously there's some nervousness,"

However he adds:

"On the evidence of today it's felt busy, buzzy, lots of shopping bags going out of the doors, so it feels like it's business as usual for us."

The Spirit of Christmas Fair 2018 is on at Olympia London from 29 October to 4 November 2018.

London, UK - 29 October 2018

1. Close of British Lion Christmas decoration, by Aerloom London, at the Spirit of Christmas Fair 2018 at Olympia London

2. Mid of crown Christmas decoration being placed between two British Bulldog decorations

3. Wide of display featuring various Christmas decorations by Aerloom London

4. Founder of Aerloom London Ania Zankowska speaking to customer

UPSOUND (English) Customer: "Are these sprouts or cabbages?"

Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London: "Sprouts. The idea was to create a Brussels Sprout"

5. Mid of stand of Brussels Sprout decorations next to Aerloom London gift bags

6. Top shot of Brussels Sprouts decorations next to cracker decoration reading 2018

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London

"It was just natural to go with the British theme to celebrate the fact that I live in the Kingdom, which obviously was very unusual for me coming from Poland. So the first collection comprised of typically British pieces and they are very popular now, not just in Britain but all around the world."

8. Mid of Queen decoration in front of Corgi decoration

9. Pull focus on side angle of Queen decoration

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London

"I'm not feeling it (Brexit) yet, of course we're all very much curious about what's going to happen in the future. I'm remaining very positive. I work very closely with the Department of Trade and Investment, who assure me that the situation will be well monitored and the support I've received will be continued."

11. Mid of stand of Brussels Sprouts decoration

12. Top shot of Zankowska organising boxes of decorations

13. Tilt down wreath with decorations

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Ania Zankowska, Founder, Aerloom London

"The best sellers in my collection are the Queen ornaments, the bulldogs and the lions and this is very much supported by the sales with the British retailers and I think everyone feels immensely proud to be British during Christmas time."

15. Close of bow being tied on gift bag

16. Wide of visitors walking past Christmas tree at Spirit of Christmas event

17. Tilt down from ceiling of Olympia to stands at Spirit of Christmas

18. Wide of visitors walking past Village Workshop stand

19. Tilt up of gingerbread Big Ben

20. Wide of gingerbread Big Ben

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Itet Radcliffe, Founder, Village Workshop

"I was really looking for something iconic that will relate to England, and if you see Big Ben then immediately it's London, it's England."

22. Mid of Radcliffe arranging gingerbread houses on stand

23. Mid of gingerbread items on stand

24. SOUNDBITE (English) Itet Radcliffe, Founder, Village Workshop

"We sell through online shops and they distribute to Europe and they haven't given us any indication that things will be changing. For this year definitely we haven't seen any change, no repercussions at all."

25. Tilt up gingerbread Big Ben

26. SOUNDBITE (English) Itet Radcliffe, Founder, Village Workshop

"Well I think people like to associate what they are buying as made in England. I think on that line, yes, here people are quite aware of where it's coming from, so made in England is quite a lot of difference."

27. Close of top of Big Ben

28. Wide of Eadie family members working on The Oxton Liqueur Company stand

29. Mid of customer trying flavoured liqueur

30. Various of flavoured liqueur bottles

31. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Eadie, Owner, The Oxton Liqueur Company

"Well in the run up to Brexit we've seen the currency move from about 140 to about 110 (British pound to Euro), so we've seen an increase in the price of goods that we buy from Europe of about 25 per cent. So that for us is all our glass, that comes from Italy, from Germany and from France. So already there's been a huge impact, what will happen after Brexit we'll have to see, but time will tell."

32. Mid of flavoured liqueur bottles

33. Customer trying flavoured liqueur

34. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Eadie, Owner, The Oxton Liqueur Company

"You know the exchange rate swung 25 percent, it may turn around, there may be a movement in the other direction, that would be good. Obviously for people exporting it's been incredibly beneficial. So it depends on which side you're on as to whether you've benefited or whether you haven't."

35. Mid of flavoured liqueur bottles on front of stand

36. Wide of visitors climbing stairs in event hall with shopping bags

37. SOUNDBITE (English) Stuart Hunter, Portfolio Director, Clarion Events (Organisers of Spirit of Christmas Fair)

"At the moment in terms of Brexit having any impact to us and the show we're not seeing any, but obviously we do have a lot of conversations with our exhibitors and obviously there's some nervousness, I think certainly probably overall this year in terms of the trade side of business, there's been a bit of a sluggish approach to some of the retail elements."

38. Mid of packaged Christmas puddings

39. Mid of Christmas pudding in front of wooden boxes reading (English) "Made in the UK"

40. SOUNDBITE (English) Stuart Hunter, Portfolio Director, Clarion Events (Organisers of Spirit of Christmas Fair)

"It remains to be seen whether the spend will be the same as we are on site this week, we'll find that out, exhibitors will tell us. We measure that post show as well so we do lots of research. But on the evidence of today it's felt busy, buzzy, lots of shopping bags going out of the doors, so it feels like it's business as usual for us."

41. Mid of bauble on Christmas tree

LEAD IN:

For decades Britain's discontent over its European Union (EU) membership has simmered on, but then came the June referendum.

Nationalism surfaced and Britain's voted to leave the EU.

Brexit as it became known sent shockwaves through money markets and governments around the world.

STORY-LINE:

In the weeks running up to referendum judgement day, the British were busy with a little soul searching.

Mulling over their shared history, the country's pride in their democracy and heritage.

It was a year when Queen Elizabeth celebrated being the longest reigning UK monarch and the country celebrated her ninetieth birthday.

The pomp and ceremony from her recent jubilee were still a source of pride and were reminiscent of the heydays when London style was considered to be world leading.

In the 1960's British fashion and British pop were riding high.

That sense of being at the vanguard of style has continued, according to Robert Johnston the Fashion Director of GQ Magazine: "You also think street scene, you think east London, you think hipsters, you think the most vibrant street fashion possibly in the world."

Author Iain Aitch explained how a variety of heritages were now mixed up, making Britishness a more complex idea to communicate: "Everyone might say a Sunday roast or fish and chips, that's a quintessentially British meal, but then suddenly everyone says it's chicken tikka masala."

But it wasn't this hipster, Brick Lane art and curry house side of Britain that won the vote.

The referendum on June 23rd was to signal the start of a long debate.

Britons for the first time had to absorb what being outside of the EU looked like.

Britain joined what was then called the European Economic Community in January 1973.

This was ratified by a referendum in 1975 with a resounding 67% majority.

By the seventies, Britain was beset by strikes and disgruntled union workers.

Traditional industries such as manufacturing and coal were in decline in the mid seventies.

Unemployment exceeded one million for the first time in March 1975. By the August that figure had increased to 1.25 million.

Some 83,000 immigrants were living in the UK by 1975, mostly from the Commonwealth.

According to Migration Watch UK for the year ending December 2015, net migration to the UK was 333,000.

And the lady had yet to turn. Margaret Thatcher MP (then leader of the opposition) campaigned to stay in the European Economic Community.

Later as prime minister between 1979 and 1990, Thatcher was known for her tough line with Brussels, especially during negotiations for the Maastrict Treaty in 1992.

The city of Maastrict is the home of the treaty which created the EU.

As summer arrived, businesses, leading universities and research establishments were beginning to assess the impact of Brexit.

For science and medicine, concerns were two fold.

Britain had attracted thousands of top researchers as well as billions of Euros in grants.

They went into research like this at Kings College London.

This project is a multidisciplinary look at the potential causes and effects of autism. It's a long term project which is linked to other studies across Europe.

Doctors and scientists aren't worried about losing cash in the short term, but falling behind in the knowledge race in the long term, especially as Britain has sought to place itself as a central base for the new industrial technologies.

The other fear is losing the brains which have been drawn to British research, people who now fear they will need to move to other institutions to keep up with the cash and the research.

Lead scientist at King's College Professor Declan Murphy warned: "Big questions need big populations to come up with the right answers, and we simply cannot deliver the amount of patients for the amount of science from one centre from one country."

The EU's Horizon 2020 budget is 80-billion Euro which funds medicine and science research across Europe.

Britain's split from the EU will leave a funding gap as well as a brain drain, according to Murphy. He argues it will be the children with autism like Van Velzen who will lose out.

As an island nation, boat building and sales have been important to the UK.

The industry fears rough waters may be ahead for Britain's luxury yacht industry, but right now it's riding on a wave caused by the plunge in the pound's value.

Phil Popham, the CEO of Sunseeker International was cautious: "We've benefited because of the weakness of the pound, but its all about business confidence."

Others like Russell Currie, the Managing Director of Fairline Yachts, says he already had cause to worry: "We've had an overnight decrease in the price of our boats in areas such as the European market."

British Marine's chief executive Howard Pridding tried to show more confidence in the course ahead: "Obviously, industry and business need stability and the time it will take to exit from the European Union will be problematic."

An estimated 1.2 million Britons live in other EU countries, mostly France, Portugal and Spain according to Britain's House of Commons library.

But that's a conservative figure because many expats don't bother registering with their embassies or the local authorities.

At Mijas on Spain's Costa del Sol, many Brits don't want to return to Blighty.

Used to the sun, sea and cafe society, some British residents are so concerned that their lives on the Costas are threatened, that after many years they're finally learning to speak Spanish.

According to Mijas' Mayor Juan Carlos Maldonado: "When the results of the Brexit (referendum) were known, a big uncertainty was created."

Local traders are also keen to keep the British on the Costa.

Many are retired and spend their pensions here.

Bar owner Sergio Morales says: "Most of our clients here, around 80% of them, are British."

A cloud of uncertainty still hangs over British expats in Spain and elsewhere in Europe.

And it's possible a string of similar nationality schools for expats may spring up.

Not everyone was bemoaning the onset of Brexit.

The art and antique market experienced a mini boom according to London dealers at this winter fair.

The weak pound against the dollar and Euro has seen American collectors in particular start to snap up bargains with savings of beween 25 and 30 per cent compared with six months ago.

Art dealers are reporting a similar trend.

They say investors see the arts market as a safe refuge in uncertain times.

As Christmas approaches the toy industry is bracing itself and Santa is wondering whether he'll have much to be jolly about.

It's the time of year when manufacturers and retailers count on making their biggest cash bonus of the year.

According to industry analyst Frederique Tutt: "Since the Brexit vote the toy market has been faring really well with an increase of three percent."

That's because toy retailers buy stock almost a year in advance and can keep prices stable, but the toy dealers here admit next year the stockings left out for Father Chrismas may have shrunk considerably.

There's nothing as Christmassy as a Christmas tree, but in Denmark the outlook for tree producers isn't quite so evergreen.

According to the Danish Christmas Tree Association, the small Scandinavian country grows around 11.5 million trees a year.

About 9.5 million of those are exported.

But these are challenging times and currency fluctuations are having an effect on trade.

Speaking about his members, Claus Jerram Christensen of the Danish Christmas Tree Association says: "They have experienced that the low exchange rate for the sterling pound makes it more difficult to achieve the same prices."

The true impact of Brexit on Britain and Europe as a whole is still to an extent unknown.

The UK government had announced it was to trigger Article 50 next March to start negotiations to leave EU.

But since then, Brexit has twice been contested in the High Court.

One ruling has already stated Britain's law makers should be allowed a vote in Parliament beforehand.

Breaking up, it seems, really is hard to do.

AP Television

London, UK - 22 February 2016

1. Wide of UK Houses of Parliament as London bus passes

2. Close of clock face at the top of Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben

AP Television

London, UK - 16 June 2016

3. Wide of Big Ben as seen from Buckingham Palace

4. Wide of Buckingham Palace

POOL

London, UK - 3 June 2012

5. Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Philip (centre), Charles (left) and Camilla (right) on royal barge during Diamond Jubilee celebrations

6. Mid of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry on royal barge

7. Pull out of royal barge sailing down River Thames during Diamond Jubilee celebrations

AP Television

London, UK - 11 June, 2016

8. Mid of Queen Elizabeth II in carriage during the Trooping of the Colour for her 90th birthday celebrations

9. Wide of Guardsmen in ceremonial marching during the celebrations

AP Television

London, UK - 1960s

++BLACK AND WHITE FOOTAGE / MUTE++

++4:3++

10. Close tilt down of man putting shirt in carrier bag

11. Wide of man by scooters

UNIVERSAL ARCHIVES

London, UK - 31 October 1963

++BLACK AND WHITE FOOTAGE / MUTE++

++4:3++

12. Various of Beatles getting off plane in London

AP Television

London, UK - 7 June 2016

++16:9++

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Johnston, Fashion Director, GQ Magazine UK

"You also think street scene, you think east London, you think hipsters, you think the most vibrant street fashion possibly in the world."

AP Television

London, UK - 3 July 2012

14. Punk and goth street fashion in Camden

AP Television

London, UK - 16 June, 2016

15. Hipster in Brick Lane cafe

16. Pull focus of street sign reading: (English) "Brick Lane E1"

17. Various of curry houses on Brick Lane

AP Television

Margate, UK - 8 June 2016

18. Various of Margate beach and people relaxing in sunshine

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Iain Aitch, Author:

"Everyone might say a Sunday roast or fish and chips, that's a quintessentially British meal, but then suddenly everyone says it's chicken tikka masala."

20. Various of takeaway fish and chips being served

AP Television

London, United Kingdom, April 30, 1973 (MUTE)

++4:3++

21. Red buses on a London street

AP Television

London, United Kingdom, September 24, 1973 (MUTE)

++4:3++

22. Tilt down of Ford workers walking out of various plants

23. Wide of Ford cars on a train

24. Various men take part in industrial action at Ford plant

AP Television

United Kingdom, February 10, 1974 - no exact location available

++4:3++

25. Various of non functioning coal mines during national coal strike

AP Television

London, United Kingdom, June 3, 1975 (MUTE)

++4:3++

26. Mid of Margaret Thatcher wearing a flags-of-Europe sweater, flanked by women also wearing pro-Europe sweaters

AP Television

Maastricht, Netherlands - 7 June 2016

++16:9++

27. Clocktower of Maastricht town hall with EU, Limburg and Maastricht flags

28. Wide of streets in the town

AP Television

London, UK - 7 July 2016

29. Various of autistic teenager Rens Van Velzen completing other puzzles with black and yellow blocks against the clock

30. Close tilt down of the psychologist on the autism study at Kings College London timing Rens Van Velzen during test

31. Close of Van Velzen

32. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Declan Murphy lead scientist, EU Aims study on autism, Kings College London:

"Big questions need big populations to come up with the right answers, and we simply cannot deliver the amount of patients for the amount of science from one centre or from one country."

33. Various of Van Velzen being tested in eye tracking unit at Kings College London

AP Television

Southampton, UK - 16 September 2016

34. Wide of Southampton Boat Show 2016, cruise ship in background

35. Tilt down to pontoon, boats and visitors

36. Close of 'Sunseeker' flag

37. Various of Sunseeker 95 Yacht exterior

38. SOUNDBITE (English) Phil Popham, CEO of Sunseeker International:

"We've benefited because of the weakness of the pound, but its all about business confidence."

39. Various of Fairline yacht

40. SOUNDBITE (English) Russell Currie, Managing Director of Fairline Yachts:

"We've had an overnight decrease in the price of our boats in areas such as the European market

41. Zoom out from cruise ship docked near boat show

42. SOUNDBITE (English) Howard Pridding, Chief Executive of British Marine:

"Industry and business need stability and the time it will take to exit from the European Union will be problematic"

AP Television

Mijas, Malaga - October 6, 2016

43. Wide of coastal area of Mijas

44. Pan of typical apartments in the area and people walking by the sea side

45. Various of British pensioners taking Spanish classes in the Parnell School

46. Various of Juan Mayor Carlos Maldonado in his office

47. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Juan Carlos Maldonado, Mayor of Mijas:

"When the results of the Brexit (referendum) were known, a big uncertainty was created."

48. Various of family walking near beach

49. Pan from people walking up steps from the beach to the owner of Royal Beach cafe talking

50. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Sergio Morales, co-owner of Royal Beach bar in Mijas:

"Most of our clients here, around 80% of them, are British."

AP Television

London, UK - 1 November 2016

51. Pull focus of bronze Japanese archer

52. Mid of men admiring antique chandelier

53. Art dealer Tanya Baxter showing painting to visitor

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

55. Wide of antique clock stand

AP Television

London, UK - 9 November 2016

56. Mid of Tiana Wilson with Santa who is holding a Hatchimal waiting for the toy to hatch

57. Wide of girl playing with toy on chair

58. Mid zoom in to boys playing with Bluetooth Furbys

59. Low mid view of caterpillar going past boys and Furbys

60. SOUNDBITE (English) Frederique Tutt, toy industry analyst, NPD:

"Since the Brexit vote the toy market has been faring really well with an increase of three percent."

AP Television

Lundby, Denmark - 22 November 2016

61. Mid tilt up of Christmas tree plantation

62. Wide of plantation through tops of trees

AP Television

Copenhagen, Denmark - 21 November 2016

63. SOUNDBITE (English) Claus Jerram Christensen, Managing Director of the Danish Christmas Tree Association:

"The low exchange rate for the sterling pound makes it more difficult to achieve the same prices."

64. Mid of large container truck filled with trees pulling out of yard stacked with trees

65. Pan across field of Christmas tree saplings for 2018 and beyond

WORLD BREXIT REVIEW

SOURCE: AP HORIZONS, LIFESTYLE, HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY / POOL

RESTRICTIONS: HORIZONS CLIENTS AND AP LIFESTYLE, HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY CLIENTS ONLY

LENGTH: 6.44

SHOTLIST:

AP Television

London, UK - 22 February 2016

1. Wide of UK Houses of Parliament as London bus passes

2. Close of clock face at the top of Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben

AP Television

London, UK - 16 June 2016

3. Wide of Big Ben as seen from Buckingham Palace

4. Wide of Buckingham Palace

POOL

London, UK - 3 June 2012

5. Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Philip (centre), Charles (left) and Camilla (right) on royal barge during Diamond Jubilee celebrations

6. Mid of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry on royal barge

7. Pull out of royal barge sailing down River Thames during Diamond Jubilee celebrations

AP Television

London, UK - 11 June, 2016

8. Mid of Queen Elizabeth II in carriage during the Trooping of the Colour for her 90th birthday celebrations

9. Wide of Guardsmen in ceremonial marching during the celebrations

AP Television

London, UK - 1960s

++BLACK AND WHITE FOOTAGE / MUTE++

++4:3++

10. Close tilt down of man putting shirt in carrier bag

11. Wide of man by scooters

UNIVERSAL ARCHIVES

London, UK - 31 October 1963

++BLACK AND WHITE FOOTAGE / MUTE++

++4:3++

12. Various of Beatles getting off plane in London

AP Television

London, UK - 7 June 2016

++16:9++

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Johnston, Fashion Director, GQ Magazine UK

"You also think street scene, you think east London, you think hipsters, you think the most vibrant street fashion possibly in the world."

AP Television

London, UK - 3 July 2012

14. Punk and goth street fashion in Camden

AP Television

London, UK - 16 June, 2016

15. Hipster in Brick Lane cafe

16. Pull focus of street sign reading: (English) "Brick Lane E1"

17. Various of curry houses on Brick Lane

AP Television

Margate, UK - 8 June 2016

18. Various of Margate beach and people relaxing in sunshine

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Iain Aitch, Author:

"Everyone might say a Sunday roast or fish and chips, that's a quintessentially British meal, but then suddenly everyone says it's chicken tikka masala."

20. Various of takeaway fish and chips being served

AP Television

London, United Kingdom, April 30, 1973 (MUTE)

++4:3++

21. Red buses on a London street

AP Television

London, United Kingdom, September 24, 1973 (MUTE)

++4:3++

22. Tilt down of Ford workers walking out of various plants

23. Wide of Ford cars on a train

24. Various men take part in industrial action at Ford plant

AP Television

United Kingdom, February 10, 1974 - no exact location available

++4:3++

25. Various of non functioning coal mines during national coal strike

AP Television

London, United Kingdom, June 3, 1975 (MUTE)

++4:3++

26. Mid of Margaret Thatcher wearing a flags-of-Europe sweater, flanked by women also wearing pro-Europe sweaters

AP Television

Maastricht, Netherlands - 7 June 2016

++16:9++

27. Clocktower of Maastricht town hall with EU, Limburg and Maastricht flags

28. Wide of streets in the town

AP Television

London, UK - 7 July 2016

29. Various of autistic teenager Rens Van Velzen completing other puzzles with black and yellow blocks against the clock

30. Close tilt down of the psychologist on the autism study at Kings College London timing Rens Van Velzen during test

31. Close of Van Velzen

32. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Declan Murphy lead scientist, EU Aims study on autism, Kings College London:

"Big questions need big populations to come up with the right answers, and we simply cannot deliver the amount of patients for the amount of science from one centre or from one country."

33. Various of Van Velzen being tested in eye tracking unit at Kings College London

AP Television

Southampton, UK - 16 September 2016

34. Wide of Southampton Boat Show 2016, cruise ship in background

35. Tilt down to pontoon, boats and visitors

36. Close of 'Sunseeker' flag

37. Various of Sunseeker 95 Yacht exterior

38. SOUNDBITE (English) Phil Popham, CEO of Sunseeker International:

"We've benefited because of the weakness of the pound, but its all about business confidence."

39. Various of Fairline yacht

40. SOUNDBITE (English) Russell Currie, Managing Director of Fairline Yachts:

"We've had an overnight decrease in the price of our boats in areas such as the European market

41. Zoom out from cruise ship docked near boat show

42. SOUNDBITE (English) Howard Pridding, Chief Executive of British Marine:

"Industry and business need stability and the time it will take to exit from the European Union will be problematic"

AP Television

Mijas, Malaga - October 6, 2016

43. Wide of coastal area of Mijas

44. Pan of typical apartments in the area and people walking by the sea side

45. Various of British pensioners taking Spanish classes in the Parnell School

46. Various of Juan Mayor Carlos Maldonado in his office

47. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Juan Carlos Maldonado, Mayor of Mijas:

"When the results of the Brexit (referendum) were known, a big uncertainty was created."

48. Various of family walking near beach

49. Pan from people walking up steps from the beach to the owner of Royal Beach cafe talking

50. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Sergio Morales, co-owner of Royal Beach bar in Mijas:

"Most of our clients here, around 80% of them, are British."

AP Television

London, UK - 1 November 2016

51. Pull focus of bronze Japanese archer

52. Mid of men admiring antique chandelier

53. Art dealer Tanya Baxter showing painting to visitor

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

55. Wide of antique clock stand

AP Television

London, UK - 9 November 2016

56. Mid of Tiana Wilson with Santa who is holding a Hatchimal waiting for the toy to hatch

57. Wide of girl playing with toy on chair

58. Mid zoom in to boys playing with Bluetooth Furbys

59. Low mid view of caterpillar going past boys and Furbys

60. SOUNDBITE (English) Frederique Tutt, toy industry analyst, NPD:

"Since the Brexit vote the toy market has been faring really well with an increase of three percent."

AP Television

Lundby, Denmark - 22 November 2016

61. Mid tilt up of Christmas tree plantation

62. Wide of plantation through tops of trees

AP Television

Copenhagen, Denmark - 21 November 2016

63. SOUNDBITE (English) Claus Jerram Christensen, Managing Director of the Danish Christmas Tree Association:

"The low exchange rate for the sterling pound makes it more difficult to achieve the same prices."

64. Mid of large container truck filled with trees pulling out of yard stacked with trees

65. Pan across field of Christmas tree saplings for 2018 and beyond

LEADIN:

For decades Britain's discontent over its European Union (EU) membership has simmered on, but then came the June referendum.

Nationalism surfaced and Britain's voted to leave the EU.

Brexit as it became known sent shockwaves through money markets and governments around the world.

STORYLINE:

In the weeks running up to referendum judgement day, the British were busy with a little soul searching.

Mulling over their shared history, the country's pride in their democracy and heritage.

It was a year when Queen Elizabeth celebrated being the longest reigning UK monarch and the country celebrated her ninetieth birthday.

The pomp and ceremony from her recent jubilee were still a source of pride and were reminiscent of the heydays when London style was considered to be world leading.

In the 1960's British fashion and British pop were riding high.

That sense of being at the vanguard of style has continued, according to Robert Johnston the Fashion Director of GQ Magazine: "You also think street scene, you think east London, you think hipsters, you think the most vibrant street fashion possibly in the world."

Author Iain Aitch explained how a variety of heritages were now mixed up, making Britishness a more complex idea to communicate: "Everyone might say a Sunday roast or fish and chips, that's a quintessentially British meal, but then suddenly everyone says it's chicken tikka masala."

But it wasn't this hipster, Brick Lane art and curry house side of Britain that won the vote.

The referendum on June 23rd was to signal the start of a long debate.

Britons for the first time had to absorb what being outside of the EU looked like.

Britain joined what was then called the European Economic Community in January 1973.

This was ratified by a referendum in 1975 with a resounding 67% majority.

By the seventies, Britain was beset by strikes and disgruntled union workers.

Traditional industries such as manufacturing and coal were in decline in the mid seventies.

Unemployment exceeded one million for the first time in March 1975. By the August that figure had increased to 1.25 million.

Some 83,000 immigrants were living in the UK by 1975, mostly from the Commonwealth.

According to Migration Watch UK for the year ending December 2015, net migration to the UK was 333,000.

And the lady had yet to turn. Margaret Thatcher MP (then leader of the opposition) campaigned to stay in the European Economic Community.

Later as prime minister between 1979 and 1990, Thatcher was known for her tough line with Brussels, especially during negotiations for the Maastrict Treaty in 1992.

The city of Maastrict is the home of the treaty which created the EU.

As summer arrived, businesses, leading universities and research establishments were beginning to assess the impact of Brexit.

For science and medicine, concerns were two fold.

Britain had attracted thousands of top researchers as well as billions of Euros in grants.

They went into research like this at Kings College London.

This project is a multidisciplinary look at the potential causes and effects of autism. It's a long term project which is linked to other studies across Europe.

Doctors and scientists aren't worried about losing cash in the short term, but falling behind in the knowledge race in the long term, especially as Britain has sought to place itself as a central base for the new industrial technologies.

The other fear is losing the brains which have been drawn to British research, people who now fear they will need to move to other institutions to keep up with the cash and the research.

Lead scientist at King's College Professor Declan Murphy warned: "Big questions need big populations to come up with the right answers, and we simply cannot deliver the amount of patients for the amount of science from one centre from one country."

The EU's Horizon 2020 budget is 80-billion Euro which funds medicine and science research across Europe.

Britain's split from the EU will leave a funding gap as well as a brain drain, according to Murphy. He argues it will be the children with autism like Van Velzen who will lose out.

As an island nation, boat building and sales have been important to the UK.

The industry fears rough waters may be ahead for Britain's luxury yacht industry, but right now it's riding on a wave caused by the plunge in the pound's value.

Phil Popham, the CEO of Sunseeker International was cautious: "We've benefited because of the weakness of the pound, but its all about business confidence."

Others like Russell Currie, the Managing Director of Fairline Yachts, says he already had cause to worry: "We've had an overnight decrease in the price of our boats in areas such as the European market."

British Marine's chief executive Howard Pridding tried to show more confidence in the course ahead: "Obviously, industry and business need stability and the time it will take to exit from the European Union will be problematic."

An estimated 1.2 million Britons live in other EU countries, mostly France, Portugal and Spain according to Britain's House of Commons library.

But that's a conservative figure because many expats don't bother registering with their embassies or the local authorities.

At Mijas on Spain's Costa del Sol, many Brits don't want to return to Blighty.

Used to the sun, sea and cafe society, some British residents are so concerned that their lives on the Costas are threatened, that after many years they're finally learning to speak Spanish.

According to Mijas' Mayor Juan Carlos Maldonado: "When the results of the Brexit (referendum) were known, a big uncertainty was created."

Local traders are also keen to keep the British on the Costa.

Many are retired and spend their pensions here.

Bar owner Sergio Morales says: "Most of our clients here, around 80% of them, are British."

A cloud of uncertainty still hangs over British expats in Spain and elsewhere in Europe.

And it's possible a string of similar nationality schools for expats may spring up.

Not everyone was bemoaning the onset of Brexit.

The art and antique market experienced a mini boom according to London dealers at this winter fair.

The weak pound against the dollar and Euro has seen American collectors in particular start to snap up bargains with savings of beween 25 and 30 per cent compared with six months ago.

Art dealers are reporting a similar trend.

They say investors see the arts market as a safe refuge in uncertain times.

As Christmas approaches the toy industry is bracing itself and Santa is wondering whether he'll have much to be jolly about.

It's the time of year when manufacturers and retailers count on making their biggest cash bonus of the year.

According to industry analyst Frederique Tutt: "Since the Brexit vote the toy market has been faring really well with an increase of three percent."

That's because toy retailers buy stock almost a year in advance and can keep prices stable, but the toy dealers here admit next year the stockings left out for Father Chrismas may have shrunk considerably.

There's nothing as Christmassy as a Christmas tree, but in Denmark the outlook for tree producers isn't quite so evergreen.

According to the Danish Christmas Tree Association, the small Scandinavian country grows around 11.5 million trees a year.

About 9.5 million of those are exported.

But these are challenging times and currency fluctuations are having an effect on trade.

Speaking about his members, Claus Jerram Christensen of the Danish Christmas Tree Association says: "They have experienced that the low exchange rate for the sterling pound makes it more difficult to achieve the same prices."

The true impact of Brexit on Britain and Europe as a whole is still to an extent unknown.

The UK government had announced it was to trigger Article 50 next March to start negotiations to leave EU.

But since then, Brexit has twice been contested in the High Court.

One ruling has already stated Britain's law makers should be allowed a vote in Parliament beforehand.

Breaking up, it seems, really is hard to do.

====

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com.

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

+REPLAY+

UK BREXIT TRAVEL

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

RESTRICTIONS: AP Clients Only

LENGTH: 6:20

SHOTLIST:

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

London, UK - 1 February 2019

1. Wide of visitors getting travel advice at stand in front of sign, reading (English): "This is how to holiday"

2. Close of word "Holiday"

3. Wide of Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show at London's Olympia exhibition centre

4. Close of sign, reading "Europe"

5. Various of Wild Frontiers stand

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Pullman, Marketing Manager, Wild Frontiers:

"Well, from our perspective, the travel industry has proven quite resilient. We've had a really good January just passed and our stand has been really busy today with people wanting to get holiday ideas. We did see initial drop off just after the Brexit referendum result, that was largely due to currency issues, so the pound obviously lost ten percent of its value. As a result, we had to put a lot of our prices up because we price our tours in dollars in a lot of our destinations. So, we saw a bit of a drop off then. But surprisingly, despite all the current chaos, we're seeing people are very interested in travelling to far off places from Uzbekistan to Iran and further afield."

7. Wide of world map at Wild Frontiers stand

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Pullman, Marketing Manager, Wild Frontiers:

"Yes well, I'm not sure whether it's related to the current Brexit issue, but we certainly are seeing areas outside Europe growing in popularity from the Silk Road in the Middle East to Latin America as well. Quite why people are shifting their focus away from Europe and into these areas I'm not quite sure whether it's related or whether it's just (a) trend."

9. Wide of sign, reading (English): "Holidays packed full of experience"

10. Various of Cyprus stand

11. Various of Kirker Holidays stand

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ted Wake, Managing Director, Kirker Holidays:

"People have seen political changes over the course of time and people will still want to go on a decent holiday to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Russia and whatever the challenges are in the short term, they won't compromise their ambitions to have a well-tailored, carefully-planned holiday that involves exactly the right elements that they enjoy on their holidays, whether it's wine tasting, visiting a great museum, having a walking tour in a city. They're not going to forego that because of some short-term anxiety."

13. Wide of stand for holidays to the Balkans

14. Mid of stand for holidays to Europe

15. Mid of Sunvil Holiday stand, Noel Josephides, Chairman of ABTA, in background

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Noel Josephides, Chairman, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA):

"What the EU has said is that you need at least six months on your passport. Technically, if in fact the passport you're holding now was issued prior to its expiry, you have to add on those months onto the six months period. So, you may find yourself having to need ten months, nine months, fifteen months. So, you have to make sure exactly where you stand by going onto the government website, putting in the details of your passport, and then literally you will be told when you have to renew."

17. Wide of Josephides speaking to show visitor

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Noel Josephides, Chairman, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA):

"You need to have your pet microchipped as before, so that's nothing new. But then you must visit your vet four months before you travel. You would then need a vaccination against rabies and once you've had the results of that blood test, which usually takes several weeks after the blood test, you then have to wait three months before you can travel."

19. Various of Flight Centre stand

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Noel Josephides, Chairman, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA):

"Maybe initially, the first few days we'll see difficulties, but after that people will just adjust and the countries will adjust because the last thing they want to do is to put people off going."

21. Various of Guernsey stand

22. Various of Isle of Man stand

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Ranald Caldwell, Chairman, Isle of Man Visit Agency:

"The one certainty we can rely on is that more and more people in the UK are staying at home for a holiday. With Wonga indicating that 93 percent of people in the UK are staying at home for at least one week's holiday a year and that accounts for 13 billion pounds staying within the UK and wider island economy, so as far as we're concerned, we are looking to see a further growth in numbers with people staying at home because of safety and security reasons, but also exchange rate reasons."

24. Various of Airstream mobile home vehicle

25. Mid of sign, reading (English): "Destinations: the holiday and travel show"

26. Tilt up of palm tree

LEADIN:

Britons hoping to holiday in Europe this summer are being warned that if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal, they may need up to 15 months left on their passport before it expires to enable them to travel.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) also says pet owners would find it much harder to obtain a pet passport.  

STORYLINE:

As the winter months drag on, many in the UK are dreaming of - and booking up - their next holiday getaway.

Here at London's Olympia, thousands have gathered for some travel inspiration at Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show. It's the UK's largest and longest running travel event.

But this year, with just under eight weeks to go until the UK is due to leave the EU, uncertainty hangs over when, where and whether to travel.

Michael Pullman is marketing manager for Wild Frontiers, an award-winning company that offers adventure holidays.

He says his company has had a strong start to the year in terms of UK holidaymakers making bookings.

"From our perspective the travel industry has proven quite resilient. We've had a really good January just passed and our stand has been really busy today with people wanting to get holiday ideas."

But there was a decline after June 2016, when the referendum result was initially announced.

"We did see initial drop off just after the Brexit referendum result, that was largely due to currency issues, the pound obviously lost ten percent of its value. As a result we had to put a lot of our prices up because we price our tours in dollars in a lot of our destinations. So we saw a bit of a drop off then. But surprisingly despite all the current chaos we're seeing people are very interested in travelling to far off places from Uzbekistan to Iran and further afield," says Pullman.

Pullman says there's an increase in people from the UK choosing to travel to places further away than Europe, but says it's unclear whether this is related to Brexit.

"I'm not sure whether it's related to current Brexit issue, but we certainly are seeing areas outside Europe growing in popularity from the Silk Road in the Middle East to Latin America as well. Quite why people are shifting their focus away from Europe and into these areas I'm not quite sure whether it's related or whether it's just a trend."

Ted Wake, managing director of Kirker Holidays, that offers luxury short breaks, says he doubts Brexit will be enough to put British people off booking holidays to Europe.

"People have seen political changes over the course of time and people will still want to go on a decent holiday," he says.

"Whatever challenges are in the short term they won't compromise their ambitions to have a well-tailored, carefully planned holiday."

So, if British people are still keen to travel to Europe after March 29 - the date the UK is due to leave the EU - what do they need to know to ensure they don't get caught out at the airport?

The latest Home Office guidance states that UK residents should have at least six months left on their passports from the date of arrival in an EU country.

But there have been suggestions that if the UK crashes out of Europe without a deal, passports many need up to 15 months left on them, potentially leaving millions of UK passports invalid.

Noel Josephides, chairman of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), says people could in fact get caught out, since the expiry date isn't always an accurate reflection of when the passport was issued.

"If in fact the passport you're holding now was issued prior to its expiry you have to add on those months onto the 6 months period. So you may find yourself having to need 10 months, 9 months, 15 months," he explains.

He adds that the safest way to check how long your passport is valid for is to put your details into the government's website.

Josephides says things will become even more complicated for people hoping to take their pets to Europe on a pet passport, should the UK leave the EU without a deal.

But he believes that any potential travel chaos after Brexit will be relatively short lived.

"People will just adjust and the countries will adjust because the last thing they want to do is to put people off going," he says.

Hundreds of tour operators and over 75 tourist boards are attending this year's Destinations travel event, from Europe and beyond, as well as the UK and its surrounding islands.

Ranald Caldwell is chairman of the Isle of Man Visit Agency.

The Isle of Man is an island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland. It's self-governing and not part of the UK or the EU.

Caldwell says given the amount of people in the UK choosing to "staycation" or holiday near their home, the Isle of Man could potentially benefit and become a great post-Brexit option for travellers.

"93 per cent of people in the UK are staying at home for at least a week's holiday a year and that accounts for 13 billion pounds staying within the UK and wider island economy, so as far as we're concerned, we are looking to see a further growth in numbers with people staying at home because of safety and security reasons, but also exchange rate reasons."

"Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show" ran 31 January - 3 February.

====

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com.

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

Brexit supporters celebrated in central London Friday as the United Kingdom prepared to officially leave the European Union.

Most held Union Jacks and signs supporting Britain's exit from the EU. Some wiped their feet on an EU flag.

Arch-Brexiteer Nigel Farage and his band of devotees will gather for patriotic songs and speeches later Friday in London's Parliament Square.

Britain's political headquarters at Number 10 Downing street will be displaying a clock to countdown to Brexit at 11pm, however the iconic Big Ben will not be tolling to commemorate the moment.

London – 31 January 2020

1. Close-up of EU flag on ground with people wiping their feet on it; tilts up to show Brexit supporters

2. Wide of Brexit supporters on Parliament square

3. Women holding pro-Brexit signs reading (English) "EU bye bye" "Free from the EU"

4. Close-up signs reading (English) "Independence Day" and "Our Country Again" zooms out to men holding signs

5. Medium of Brexit supporters

6. SOUNDBITE (English) John Wallsgrove, from the Gatwick area:

"This is our day to shine. This is when we become our own sovereignty again and we rule. So at the end of the day we don't have to answer to nobody. Simple as this. They should put our day for us. (Looks at Big Ben) Hopefully that goes at 11 o'clock tonight. We're done."

7. Close-up UK flag with signs next to it reading (English) "Boris (Johnson) is my PM" and "We are leaving"

8. Couple wearing hats with Union Jack kiss

9. Wide of rally

10. Close-up of banner reading "New Forest 4 Brexit" zoom out, Fran Carpenter holding banner

11. Close-up of Carpenter's bag with flags and a doll of Boris Johnson

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Fran Carpenter, from New Forest:

"I'm just glad that the vote was honored in the end, to be honest with you. Because I think you can't have a public vote, all that, all that trouble and strife and then just overturn it. It can't be done. It's just not democracy, is it?"

13. Wide of veteran Maurice Bennett holding banner

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Maurice Bennett, 87, served in the Royal Air Force in 1950:

"Excellent. It's the Battle of Britain again, all over again as far as I'm concerned. This is the beginning of the end of the tyranny that was forced upon this country."

15. Close-up of sign reading (English) "Brexit now"

16. Wide of rally

Londoners celebrated Halloween in an immersive experience on Thursday, on the day that UK was supposed to leave the European Union.

As the original Brexit deadline set on Halloween, there was a good excuse to host some bizarre parties and ridicule the UK's politicians.

Although there had been a further extension to Brexit, a theatre company found a creative way for this special Halloween celebration.

The Dot Dot Dot theatre company created a reproduction of Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds, a story about a Martian attack in a crumbling Victorian society, leading to an apocalyptic world.

Adding to the Brexit theme, a UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson impersonator made a guest appearance.

Dominic Wong, creative director of the company behind the end-of the world themed party, said "we thought it would be a very funny tongue-and-cheek to experience Brexit and the end of the world with a celebration of all things apocalyptic".

Many at the party were celebrating the fact that the deadline had passed and the UK was still in the EU - for now.

"I'm very happy.  I don't have apply to travel to my country and wonder about all the paperwork I have to bring with me", said Geraldine Trouve, a French national who lives in London.   

She added that she remained hopeful that the UK would remain in the European bloc.

Megan Stewart, from Scotland, said she felt relieved.

"We want to have a party basically to celebrate Halloween and to celebrate the fact that it is not the end of the world, we are still safe for now", she added.

London - 31 October 2019

1. Various of actors dressed up as zombies in the Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of the War of the Worlds

2. Pan from Union Jack to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson impersonator

3. Various of Boris Johnson impersonator

4. Close up of EU flags

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Will Barton, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson impersonator :

"You know, they said that we wouldn't win the referendum, they were wrong. They said that we wouldn't get our deal through Parliament, they were wrong. They said that I wouldn't get Brexit over the line tonight on October 31st, they were...they were right. Well they weren't wrong, they weren't wrong but we will get there."

6. People attending the Brexit Halloween party

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Dominic Wong; Creative Director of Dot Dot Dot, the company behind Jeff Wayne's Musical version of the War of the Worlds:

"Jeff Wayne's the War of the Worlds Experience is about a Martian invasion and when we came up with an idea for an end of the world Halloween/Brexit party to celebrate all things end of the world really. We didn't quite know what was going to happen after Brexit and after Halloween. And within our experience using virtual and augmented reality and live actors and the such, we thought it would be a very funny tongue-in-cheek way to experience Brexit and the End of the World with a celebration of all things apocalyptic."

8. People attending the party

9. Close of a carved pumpkin

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Geraldine Trouve; partygoer, from France but lives in London:

"I'm very happy.  I don't have apply to travel to my country and wonder about all the paperwork I have to bring with me.  I always said that I'm not sure that Britain is going to leave the EU for sure on the 31st.  We're still drinking French wine. So, it's a positive thing. I'm hoping...we've always (been) hoping that, you know, the Brits are going to stay in Europe so remain hopeful."

11. Various of zombie actors

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Megan Stewart, partygoer:

"We are all relieved and we all want to have a party basically. So we are here to celebrate not just Halloween and to celebrate the fact that it is not the end of the world yet. We are still safe for now and having a good time tonight and having a couple of drinks."

13. Barman preparing a cocktail

14. Pan from a carved pumpkin with a Union Jack to the cocktail

LEAD IN:

The fallout over Brexit continues to batter nerves of money dealers, a weak British pound could be bad for the jewellery trade.

If British jewellers pay more for precious metals and gems internationally, that means higher prices.

But new figures from analysts say the value of the industry is expected to rise, from 5.7 billion in 2018 to 5.9 billion pounds this year.

STORY-LINE:

A Faberge egg, not an antique one from the Russian court of Tsar Alexander, but a new design, sporting a coat of Blue John, Britain's rarest mineral.

The egg is part of a collection on display to jewellery traders in London.

As a whole, the collection is worth over one million British pounds, by far the most expensive item on display here.

The detailed pieces include necklaces and objet d'art commissioned by high end jeweller C W Sellors, a company proud of its British heritage.

The company was founded by Chris Sellors, who's celebrating his company's fortieth year of trading. He started the company when he was just nineteen-years-old.

This collaboration with Faberge is his celebration of his four decades in business, and a show of confidence in the future.

Much of the collection, he says, has already been sold.

"We wanted to start off with making something iconic really, which is an object piece that's incorporating the egg style of Faberge, which is sort of useful. This is actually an 18 carat," says Sellors.

"We've done that the gemstone work on this, of the Blue John and Faberge, in their workshop, have actually created the fantastic metalwork with a guilloche pieces, mounted with diamonds both on the Blue John and on the top. Fantastic detail, whichever way you look at it, and what a fantastic investment."

Sellor's quirky and quintessentially English pieces have an established market.

Currently, a quarter of what he sells goes to Europe, but he's not perturbed by the fluctuations threatened by Brexit.

"Historically, the British industry, jewellery industry, was very, very strong, making many, many fine things that you'll see in antiques all over the world," he says.

"And, personally, Brexit, I don't see as going to make any difference whatsoever to us. It may even actually help us keep our identity and actually sort of go forward. We've traded way before Brexit and, you know the European Union, and I think we'll sort of continue and everything will go on fine in our industry."

Simon Forrester is the CEO of The UK's National Association of Jewellers (NAJ). He keeps a watchful eye on the European competition.

The NAJ represents 2,000 companies, employing around 25,000 people. Members range from manufacturers to retailers, as well as designers.

Market analysts Mintel have released their latest survey on the jewellery trade, which shows it's expected to grow, although not very quickly, this year from 5.7 billion British pounds n 2018, to 5.9 billion by the end of this year.

Forrester says top end jewellers may be secure, but those on the high street face more challenges.

"Twenty years ago, the industry was growing rapidly, but we've seen a significant slowdown, particularly the last five years," he says.

"It's tough out there on the high street. People are spending their limited discretionary income on holidays, on iPhones, on experiences and jewellery is dropped down the pecking order of people's discretionary purchases."

Many of the British companies here say they expect to weather any upcoming storms Brexit throws at them.

Unlike farmers, they're not dealing in perishable goods, but Brexit has made forward planning difficult for companies.

Some fear a damage to their business from a rise in the price of raw materials, others believe the volume they sell to foreigners will increase because the pound will make them more competitive.

"European business is probably about 50 to 60 percent of our trade, in terms of jewellery going backwards and forwards," says Forrester.

"I would see that shrinking if we don't maintain a similar tariff structure to what we have now, and new markets being developed.

"Certainly, international jewellery, where we are now, we're seeing a lot more non-European jewellers have a presence here, which is very interesting, but also, the conversations we're having with overseas retailers from non-European destinations, very keen to find out how they can access British jewellery design and bring that to their shops."

According to Forrester, Britain is set to establish more jewellery trade with India.

Company Yoko London specialises in pearls and diamonds, it's a family firm established by Michael Hakimian's father, back in the 1970s.

"I personally think at the level of merchandise that we are supplying, which is the higher end of the market, an adjustment of few hundred pounds here or there, or few hundred dollars here or there, or a little bit of inconvenience, doesn't make any difference," says Hakimian.

"The rich and wealthy clients that we are trying to provide the merchandise for, again, they are savvy, they know how to buy their merchandise at the correct place. So, we will ship it wherever they want. And I don't think one or two percent of duty etc. is going to affect our business."

Hakimiam buys pearls from eleven countries around the world, mostly Australia. The diamonds come through Europe.

Whether big markets like China can stop any gaps that might be created by Brexit remains to be seen.

Buyer Lu Wei says there's a great deal of interest in British design, but she says the Chinese have also seen a drop in their disposable income.

"(The market), it's not so bad, also it's growing, but it's slow, very slow. Slowly growing," she says.

"Because there was recently one, or two year we got many, many pressures for the Chinese people. The price for our apartment(s) is really high, especially in the big cities and also the economy is not so good. If we compare with five years ago."

There are plenty of expensive diamonds here at International Jewellery London, but there are precious few crystal balls, and many companies at this trade show are keen not to speculate.

London, UK - 2 September 2019

1. Various of Derbyshire Blue John Faberge egg inside glass case

2. Various of Chris Sellors, Managing Director and Owner, C W Sellors Fine Jewellery, reaching into cabinet to remove egg and necklace

3. Various of Sellors examining Faberge egg, which his workshop helped to craft

4. Close of egg necklace, opened to show Blue John rose and diamond

5. Pan of Blue John egg shaped necklaces banded with tiny diamonds

6. Close pull focus on necklace

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Sellors, Managing Director and Owner, C W Sellors Fine Jewellery:

"We wanted to start off with making something iconic really, which is an object piece that's incorporating the egg style of Faberge, which is sort of useful. This is actually an 18 carat. We've done that the gemstone work on this, of the Blue John and Faberge, in their workshop, have actually created the fantastic metalwork with a guilloche pieces, mounted with diamonds both on the Blue John and on the top. Fantastic detail, whichever way you look at it, and what a fantastic investment."

8. Various of egg necklace being opened by Sellors

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Sellors, Managing Director and Owner, C W Sellors Fine Jewellery:

"Historically, the British industry, jewellery industry, was very, very strong, making many, many fine things that you'll see in antiques all over the world. And, personally, Brexit, I don't see as going to make any difference whatsoever to us. It may even actually help us keep our identity and actually sort of go forward. We've traded way before Brexit and, you know the European Union, and I think we'll sort of continue and everything will go on fine in our industry."

10. Mid of Sellors' stand at International Jewellery London

11. Wide of display of Sellors' jewellery designs

12. Mid of Simon Forrester, CEO of The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), looking at German made watches

13. Close of display

14. Close of Iron Annie Made in Germany and logo on box

15. Close of Forrester

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Simon Forrester, CEO of The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ):

"Twenty years ago, the industry was growing rapidly, but we've seen a significant slowdown, particularly the last five years. It's tough out there on the high street. People are spending their limited discretionary income on holidays, on iPhones, on experiences and jewellery is dropped down the pecking order of people's discretionary purchases."

17. Various of traders doing business at International Jewellery London

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Simon Forrester, CEO of The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ):

"European business is probably about 50 to 60 percent of our trade, in terms of jewellery going backwards and forwards. I would see that shrinking if we don't maintain a similar tariff structure to what we have now, and new markets being developed. Certainly, international jewellery, where we are now, we're seeing a lot more non-European jewellers have a presence here, which is very interesting, but also, the conversations we're having with overseas retailers from non-European destinations, very keen to find out how they can access British jewellery design and bring that to their shops."

19. Zoom in of pearl and diamond necklace on stand

20. Close of sign for jeweller Yoko

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Hakimian, CEO of Yoko London:

"I personally think at the level of merchandise that we are supplying, which is the higher end of the market, an adjustment of few hundred pounds here or there, or few hundred dollars here or there, or a little bit of inconvenience, doesn't make any difference. The rich and wealthy clients that we are trying to provide the merchandise for, again, they are savvy, they know how to buy their merchandise at the correct place. So, we will ship it wherever they want. And I don't think one or two percent of duty etc. is going to affect our business."

22. Various of rings on display

23. Close of display, showing diamond encrusted gate bracelet

24. Close of bracelet

25. SOUNDBITE (English) Lu Wei, Chinese buyer and designer:

"(The market), it's not so bad, also it's growing, but it's slow, very slow. Slowly growing. Why? Because there was recently one, or two year we got many, many pressures for the Chinese people. The price for our apartment(s) is really high, especially in the big cities and also the economy is not so good. If we compare with five years ago."

26. Close of phoenix cut diamond ring

27. Mid of ring display

28. Mid of visitors at International Jewellery London

29. Top shot of women looking a ring display

30. Close of display of beads and semi-precious stones

LEAD IN:

The fallout over Brexit continues to batter nerves of money dealers, a weak British pound could be bad for the jewellery trade.

If British jewellers pay more for precious metals and gems internationally, that means higher prices.

But new figures from analysts say the value of the industry is expected to rise, from 5.7 billion in 2018 to 5.9 billion pounds this year.

STORY-LINE:

A Faberge egg, not an antique one from the Russian court of Tsar Alexander, but a new design, sporting a coat of Blue John, Britain's rarest mineral.

The egg is part of a collection on display to jewellery traders in London.

As a whole, the collection is worth over one million British pounds, by far the most expensive item on display here.

The detailed pieces include necklaces and objet d'art commissioned by high end jeweller C W Sellors, a company proud of its British heritage.

The company was founded by Chris Sellors, who's celebrating his company's fortieth year of trading. He started the company when he was just nineteen-years-old.

This collaboration with Faberge is his celebration of his four decades in business, and a show of confidence in the future.

Much of the collection, he says, has already been sold.

"We wanted to start off with making something iconic really, which is an object piece that's incorporating the egg style of Faberge, which is sort of useful. This is actually an 18 carat," says Sellors.

"We've done that the gemstone work on this, of the Blue John and Faberge, in their workshop, have actually created the fantastic metalwork with a guilloche pieces, mounted with diamonds both on the Blue John and on the top. Fantastic detail, whichever way you look at it, and what a fantastic investment."

Sellor's quirky and quintessentially English pieces have an established market.

Currently, a quarter of what he sells goes to Europe, but he's not perturbed by the fluctuations threatened by Brexit.

"Historically, the British industry, jewellery industry, was very, very strong, making many, many fine things that you'll see in antiques all over the world," he says.

"And, personally, Brexit, I don't see as going to make any difference whatsoever to us. It may even actually help us keep our identity and actually sort of go forward. We've traded way before Brexit and, you know the European Union, and I think we'll sort of continue and everything will go on fine in our industry."

Simon Forrester is the CEO of The UK's National Association of Jewellers (NAJ). He keeps a watchful eye on the European competition.

The NAJ represents 2,000 companies, employing around 25,000 people. Members range from manufacturers to retailers, as well as designers.

Market analysts Mintel have released their latest survey on the jewellery trade, which shows it's expected to grow, although not very quickly, this year from 5.7 billion British pounds n 2018, to 5.9 billion by the end of this year.

Forrester says top end jewellers may be secure, but those on the high street face more challenges.

"Twenty years ago, the industry was growing rapidly, but we've seen a significant slowdown, particularly the last five years," he says.

"It's tough out there on the high street. People are spending their limited discretionary income on holidays, on iPhones, on experiences and jewellery is dropped down the pecking order of people's discretionary purchases."

Many of the British companies here say they expect to weather any upcoming storms Brexit throws at them.

Unlike farmers, they're not dealing in perishable goods, but Brexit has made forward planning difficult for companies.

Some fear a damage to their business from a rise in the price of raw materials, others believe the volume they sell to foreigners will increase because the pound will make them more competitive.

"European business is probably about 50 to 60 percent of our trade, in terms of jewellery going backwards and forwards," says Forrester.

"I would see that shrinking if we don't maintain a similar tariff structure to what we have now, and new markets being developed.

"Certainly, international jewellery, where we are now, we're seeing a lot more non-European jewellers have a presence here, which is very interesting, but also, the conversations we're having with overseas retailers from non-European destinations, very keen to find out how they can access British jewellery design and bring that to their shops."

According to Forrester, Britain is set to establish more jewellery trade with India.

Company Yoko London specialises in pearls and diamonds, it's a family firm established by Michael Hakimian's father, back in the 1970s.

"I personally think at the level of merchandise that we are supplying, which is the higher end of the market, an adjustment of few hundred pounds here or there, or few hundred dollars here or there, or a little bit of inconvenience, doesn't make any difference," says Hakimian.

"The rich and wealthy clients that we are trying to provide the merchandise for, again, they are savvy, they know how to buy their merchandise at the correct place. So, we will ship it wherever they want. And I don't think one or two percent of duty etc. is going to affect our business."

Hakimiam buys pearls from eleven countries around the world, mostly Australia. The diamonds come through Europe.

Whether big markets like China can stop any gaps that might be created by Brexit remains to be seen.

Buyer Lu Wei says there's a great deal of interest in British design, but she says the Chinese have also seen a drop in their disposable income.

"(The market), it's not so bad, also it's growing, but it's slow, very slow. Slowly growing," she says.

"Because there was recently one, or two year we got many, many pressures for the Chinese people. The price for our apartment(s) is really high, especially in the big cities and also the economy is not so good. If we compare with five years ago."

There are plenty of expensive diamonds here at International Jewellery London, but there are precious few crystal balls, and many companies at this trade show are keen not to speculate.

London, UK - 2 September 2019

1. Various of Derbyshire Blue John Faberge egg inside glass case

2. Various of Chris Sellors, Managing Director and Owner, C W Sellors Fine Jewellery, reaching into cabinet to remove egg and necklace

3. Various of Sellors examining Faberge egg, which his workshop helped to craft

4. Close of egg necklace, opened to show Blue John rose and diamond

5. Pan of Blue John egg shaped necklaces banded with tiny diamonds

6. Close pull focus on necklace

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Sellors, Managing Director and Owner, C W Sellors Fine Jewellery:

"We wanted to start off with making something iconic really, which is an object piece that's incorporating the egg style of Faberge, which is sort of useful. This is actually an 18 carat. We've done that the gemstone work on this, of the Blue John and Faberge, in their workshop, have actually created the fantastic metalwork with a guilloche pieces, mounted with diamonds both on the Blue John and on the top. Fantastic detail, whichever way you look at it, and what a fantastic investment."

8. Various of egg necklace being opened by Sellors

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Sellors, Managing Director and Owner, C W Sellors Fine Jewellery:

"Historically, the British industry, jewellery industry, was very, very strong, making many, many fine things that you'll see in antiques all over the world. And, personally, Brexit, I don't see as going to make any difference whatsoever to us. It may even actually help us keep our identity and actually sort of go forward. We've traded way before Brexit and, you know the European Union, and I think we'll sort of continue and everything will go on fine in our industry."

10. Mid of Sellors' stand at International Jewellery London

11. Wide of display of Sellors' jewellery designs

12. Mid of Simon Forrester, CEO of The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), looking at German made watches

13. Close of display

14. Close of Iron Annie Made in Germany and logo on box

15. Close of Forrester

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Simon Forrester, CEO of The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ):

"Twenty years ago, the industry was growing rapidly, but we've seen a significant slowdown, particularly the last five years. It's tough out there on the high street. People are spending their limited discretionary income on holidays, on iPhones, on experiences and jewellery is dropped down the pecking order of people's discretionary purchases."

17. Various of traders doing business at International Jewellery London

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Simon Forrester, CEO of The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ):

"European business is probably about 50 to 60 percent of our trade, in terms of jewellery going backwards and forwards. I would see that shrinking if we don't maintain a similar tariff structure to what we have now, and new markets being developed. Certainly, international jewellery, where we are now, we're seeing a lot more non-European jewellers have a presence here, which is very interesting, but also, the conversations we're having with overseas retailers from non-European destinations, very keen to find out how they can access British jewellery design and bring that to their shops."

19. Zoom in of pearl and diamond necklace on stand

20. Close of sign for jeweller Yoko

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Hakimian, CEO of Yoko London:

"I personally think at the level of merchandise that we are supplying, which is the higher end of the market, an adjustment of few hundred pounds here or there, or few hundred dollars here or there, or a little bit of inconvenience, doesn't make any difference. The rich and wealthy clients that we are trying to provide the merchandise for, again, they are savvy, they know how to buy their merchandise at the correct place. So, we will ship it wherever they want. And I don't think one or two percent of duty etc. is going to affect our business."

22. Various of rings on display

23. Close of display, showing diamond encrusted gate bracelet

24. Close of bracelet

25. SOUNDBITE (English) Lu Wei, Chinese buyer and designer:

"(The market), it's not so bad, also it's growing, but it's slow, very slow. Slowly growing. Why? Because there was recently one, or two year we got many, many pressures for the Chinese people. The price for our apartment(s) is really high, especially in the big cities and also the economy is not so good. If we compare with five years ago."

26. Close of phoenix cut diamond ring

27. Mid of ring display

28. Mid of visitors at International Jewellery London

29. Top shot of women looking a ring display

30. Close of display of beads and semi-precious stones

LEADIN:

Britons hoping to holiday in Europe this summer are being warned that if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal, they may need up to 15 months left on their passport before it expires to enable them to travel.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) also says pet owners would find it much harder to obtain a pet passport.  

STORYLINE:

As the winter months drag on, many in the UK are dreaming of - and booking up - their next holiday getaway.

Here at London's Olympia, thousands have gathered for some travel inspiration at Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show. It's the UK's largest and longest running travel event.

But this year, with just under eight weeks to go until the UK is due to leave the EU, uncertainty hangs over when, where and whether to travel.

Michael Pullman is marketing manager for Wild Frontiers, an award-winning company that offers adventure holidays.

He says his company has had a strong start to the year in terms of UK holidaymakers making bookings.

"From our perspective the travel industry has proven quite resilient. We've had a really good January just passed and our stand has been really busy today with people wanting to get holiday ideas."

But there was a decline after June 2016, when the referendum result was initially announced.

"We did see initial drop off just after the Brexit referendum result, that was largely due to currency issues, the pound obviously lost ten percent of its value. As a result we had to put a lot of our prices up because we price our tours in dollars in a lot of our destinations. So we saw a bit of a drop off then. But surprisingly despite all the current chaos we're seeing people are very interested in travelling to far off places from Uzbekistan to Iran and further afield," says Pullman.

Pullman says there's an increase in people from the UK choosing to travel to places further away than Europe, but says it's unclear whether this is related to Brexit.

"I'm not sure whether it's related to current Brexit issue, but we certainly are seeing areas outside Europe growing in popularity from the Silk Road in the Middle East to Latin America as well. Quite why people are shifting their focus away from Europe and into these areas I'm not quite sure whether it's related or whether it's just a trend."

Ted Wake, managing director of Kirker Holidays, that offers luxury short breaks, says he doubts Brexit will be enough to put British people off booking holidays to Europe.

"People have seen political changes over the course of time and people will still want to go on a decent holiday," he says.

"Whatever challenges are in the short term they won't compromise their ambitions to have a well-tailored, carefully planned holiday."

So, if British people are still keen to travel to Europe after March 29 - the date the UK is due to leave the EU - what do they need to know to ensure they don't get caught out at the airport?

The latest Home Office guidance states that UK residents should have at least six months left on their passports from the date of arrival in an EU country.

But there have been suggestions that if the UK crashes out of Europe without a deal, passports many need up to 15 months left on them, potentially leaving millions of UK passports invalid.

Noel Josephides, chairman of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), says people could in fact get caught out, since the expiry date isn't always an accurate reflection of when the passport was issued.

"If in fact the passport you're holding now was issued prior to its expiry you have to add on those months onto the 6 months period. So you may find yourself having to need 10 months, 9 months, 15 months," he explains.

He adds that the safest way to check how long your passport is valid for is to put your details into the government's website.

Josephides says things will become even more complicated for people hoping to take their pets to Europe on a pet passport, should the UK leave the EU without a deal.

But he believes that any potential travel chaos after Brexit will be relatively short lived.

"People will just adjust and the countries will adjust because the last thing they want to do is to put people off going," he says.

Hundreds of tour operators and over 75 tourist boards are attending this year's Destinations travel event, from Europe and beyond, as well as the UK and its surrounding islands.

Ranald Caldwell is chairman of the Isle of Man Visit Agency.

The Isle of Man is an island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland. It's self-governing and not part of the UK or the EU.

Caldwell says given the amount of people in the UK choosing to "staycation" or holiday near their home, the Isle of Man could potentially benefit and become a great post-Brexit option for travellers.

"93 per cent of people in the UK are staying at home for at least a week's holiday a year and that accounts for 13 billion pounds staying within the UK and wider island economy, so as far as we're concerned, we are looking to see a further growth in numbers with people staying at home because of safety and security reasons, but also exchange rate reasons."

"Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show" ran 31 January - 3 February.

London, UK - 1 February 2019

1. Wide of visitors getting travel advice at stand in front of sign, reading (English): "This is how to holiday"

2. Close of word "Holiday"

3. Wide of Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show at London's Olympia exhibition centre

4. Close of sign, reading "Europe"

5. Various of Wild Frontiers stand

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Pullman, Marketing Manager, Wild Frontiers:

"Well, from our perspective, the travel industry has proven quite resilient. We've had a really good January just passed and our stand has been really busy today with people wanting to get holiday ideas. We did see initial drop off just after the Brexit referendum result, that was largely due to currency issues, so the pound obviously lost ten percent of its value. As a result, we had to put a lot of our prices up because we price our tours in dollars in a lot of our destinations. So, we saw a bit of a drop off then. But surprisingly, despite all the current chaos, we're seeing people are very interested in travelling to far off places from Uzbekistan to Iran and further afield."

7. Wide of world map at Wild Frontiers stand

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Pullman, Marketing Manager, Wild Frontiers:

"Yes well, I'm not sure whether it's related to the current Brexit issue, but we certainly are seeing areas outside Europe growing in popularity from the Silk Road in the Middle East to Latin America as well. Quite why people are shifting their focus away from Europe and into these areas I'm not quite sure whether it's related or whether it's just (a) trend."

9. Wide of sign, reading (English): "Holidays packed full of experience"

10. Various of Cyprus stand

11. Various of Kirker Holidays stand

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ted Wake, Managing Director, Kirker Holidays:

"People have seen political changes over the course of time and people will still want to go on a decent holiday to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Russia and whatever the challenges are in the short term, they won't compromise their ambitions to have a well-tailored, carefully-planned holiday that involves exactly the right elements that they enjoy on their holidays, whether it's wine tasting, visiting a great museum, having a walking tour in a city. They're not going to forego that because of some short-term anxiety."

13. Wide of stand for holidays to the Balkans

14. Mid of stand for holidays to Europe

15. Mid of Sunvil Holiday stand, Noel Josephides, Chairman of ABTA, in background

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Noel Josephides, Chairman, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA):

"What the EU has said is that you need at least six months on your passport. Technically, if in fact the passport you're holding now was issued prior to its expiry, you have to add on those months onto the six months period. So, you may find yourself having to need ten months, nine months, fifteen months. So, you have to make sure exactly where you stand by going onto the government website, putting in the details of your passport, and then literally you will be told when you have to renew."

17. Wide of Josephides speaking to show visitor

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Noel Josephides, Chairman, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA):

"You need to have your pet microchipped as before, so that's nothing new. But then you must visit your vet four months before you travel. You would then need a vaccination against rabies and once you've had the results of that blood test, which usually takes several weeks after the blood test, you then have to wait three months before you can travel."

19. Various of Flight Centre stand

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Noel Josephides, Chairman, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA):

"Maybe initially, the first few days we'll see difficulties, but after that people will just adjust and the countries will adjust because the last thing they want to do is to put people off going."

21. Various of Guernsey stand

22. Various of Isle of Man stand

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Ranald Caldwell, Chairman, Isle of Man Visit Agency:

"The one certainty we can rely on is that more and more people in the UK are staying at home for a holiday. With Wonga indicating that 93 percent of people in the UK are staying at home for at least one week's holiday a year and that accounts for 13 billion pounds staying within the UK and wider island economy, so as far as we're concerned, we are looking to see a further growth in numbers with people staying at home because of safety and security reasons, but also exchange rate reasons."

24. Various of Airstream mobile home vehicle

25. Mid of sign, reading (English): "Destinations: the holiday and travel show"

26. Tilt up of palm tree

In Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh, many described their fatigue and dismay with Brexit, even after a deal was reached on the eve of Christmas.

The Scottish National Party is expected to seek a mandate to hold a second Scottish independence referendum after the 2021 elections for the Scottish Parliament.

People in Scotland voted to remain in the European Union by a majority of over 60% in the 2016 Brexit referendum.

"I can remember life before we joined Europe and I can remember things getting better, in every way," said Jaime Taylor, a retired engineer.

Many Scots back Scottish independence from the United Kingdom Union as a possible way for the nation to get back into the EU.

Just a week before the deadline, Britain and the European Union struck a free-trade deal Thursday that should avert economic chaos on New Year's and bring a measure of certainty for businesses after years of Brexit turmoil.

Once ratified by both sides, the agreement will ensure Britain and the 27-nation bloc can continue to trade in goods without tariffs or quotas after the U.K. breaks fully free of the EU on Jan. 1.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom - 24 December 2020

1. Close of Scottish flag hanging from an apartment window in Edinburgh

2. Wide of Edinburgh town centre Christmas lights

3. Close of Christmas lights

4. Wide of Christmas tree in Edinburgh town centre

5. Wide of the Scottish Parliament

6. Mid of Scottish flag, Union Flag and EU flags in front of Scottish Parliament

7. Mid of Scottish parliament sign with "Sorry we're closed" on it

8. Close of Scottish parliament sign

9. SOUNDBITE (English) James Craig, Maintenance worker:

"I don't know enough about it (the Brexit deal) but we are probably better having some kind of deal. But, whether the fishermen would agree with the deal that is on offer is another story. There could well be European boats in British waters for the next 10 years."

10. Wide of people in front of the Scottish parliament

11. SOUNDBITE (English) James Craig, Maintenance worker:

"My feeling is we'll be writing a wrong that was committed 300 years ago. That is it in a nutshell. (about Scottish independence)."

12. Wide of Alba Bistro (Alba is another name for Scotland)

13. Close of Scottish flags painted on Alba Bistro

14.  SOUNDBITE (English) James Armour, Project Manager for a clean technology firm:

"I think if I were to sum up my feelings about Brexit in one word, it would be fatigue. Maybe that is also because of everything that is going on with Covid. I mean I personally lived in Denmark for three years and I have a lot of affinity for Europe. And I loved that I could go and study there for free, being part of the European Union, which was really cool. I had a great experience and it is a shame I  guess that people in the future might not have that opportunity from Britain. But, I am fatigued because it has been going on for so long, it is happening now, the ball is rolling. I think we should just finish it. But, I do appreciate the people in Scotland, on the whole actually wanted to stay in the EU. So, I can see how that is difficult for us being up here and being part of the Union with the rest of the United Kingdom."

15. Wide of closed "Wee Scottish Pub"

16. Close up of "Wee Scottish Pub"

17. Wide of Grassmarket square in the middle of Edinburgh

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Pamela Tosh, Teacher:

"I think it makes me feel relieved,because over the past couple of weeks there has just been so much hype and misinformation in the media. And then I guess all the queues at Dover and the threat that we might have restrictions in terms of the food that we have. So, hopefully it would get rid of all of that and get rid of a lot of the uncertainty. But, personally I would prefer Scotland to be part of the Europe. So that is the way I am going to vote in future. I will vote for independence and for Scotland to be part of the European Union in the future."

19. Wide of Alba store

20. Close of Alba store

21.  SOUNDBITE (English) Jaime Taylor, Retired engineer:

"I hate Brexit. I think it is a completely retrograde step. I can remember life before we joined Europe and I can remember things getting better, in every way. I think the feeling of being part of a multinational, international, outwardly looking community has been absolutely fantastic. I have always been very excited about everything about being in Europe. And I have been miserable the last four years. I have been following it almost every second of every day. And it is a completely retrograde thing going backwards into an isolated.. Trying to shrink the size of Britain, really England trying to drag Scotland with it. "

22. Wide of Edinburgh Kilt Maker shop

23. Wide of a food stand in Edinburgh town centre called "French connection"

24. SOUNDBITE (English) Jaime Taylor, Retired engineer:

"It feels very much that it is time for the Union (the United Kingdom Union) to be dissolved. Most of us in Scotland would rather be part of the European Union than the British Union, well I am speaking for myself, but there is a definite feeling that way. And, we are stuck now with this Tory party that are governing Westminster."

25. Mid of Jaime cycling away

26. Wide of French restaurant next to an Italian restaurants in Edinburgh town centre

27. Close of a sign saying Petit Paris restaurant is closed

28. Wide of the Scottish parliament

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 town barely five miles (eight kilometres) from the United Kingdom's only frontier with an EU partner, the surge in cross-border holiday shopping underscores how far the British currency has fallen amid anxiety over a UK exit.

While the euro these days is unusually weak, the pound is far weaker, boosting price differentials on most goods.

That's been the case since May, when a majority of British voters - including 44 percent of those in Northern Ireland - shocked pollsters by voting to leave the world's largest economic union.

The pound sterling suffered its biggest fall in decades and today is worth less than 1.20 euros, about 15 percent less than a year ago.

Traffic on the approach roads to Newry is running bumper to bumper as Christmas approaches, and the heavy presence of southern Irish shoppers is obvious from the license plates that display names of their home counties.

Once visitors find a parking spot and head inside, they are confronted by a stock market-style ticker display listing each shop's competing exchange rates - right beside the spot where children queue to see Santa on his sleigh.

Many shops offer bank-beating discounts to shoppers paying in euros; a few even take euros on equal value terms to pounds.

Cathal Austin, who has managed The Quays mall for 15 years, estimates that business from Republic of Ireland shoppers is running more than 50 percent higher than last Christmas.

He's spotted customers arriving by chartered bus from as far away as Tipperary, Cork and Kerry in Ireland's southwest, four hours away or more.

But Austin worries that this pre-Brexit party could leave a bitter hangover.

He remembers how smuggling thrived and legal commerce struggled before the EU's common market in the early 1990s abolished customs checks along Ireland's meandering 310-mile (499-kilometre) border.

He fears that Brexit, when it eventually comes, could mean the return of a hard border with enforced import restrictions.

Newry's gain is commonly Dundalk's loss.

Dundalk, barely 14 miles (22 kilometres) down the road, is the nearest Republic of Ireland town and main commercial rival to Newry.

While Newry heaves with shoppers on these December weekends, Dundalk struggles to attract a fraction of the trade.

It's boom time in Newry at the moment, but many are fearful of what the future holds, with the uncertainty of Brexit hanging over the Northern Irish border towns.

Newry, Northern Ireland – 19 December 2016

1. Wide pan right of M1 motorway from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland and the town of Newry

2. Exterior of the Quays shopping centre in Newry

3. Various of information board displaying exchange rates between the euro and the British pound

4. Sign showing one euro to one pound exchange rate

5. Shoppers in the Quays

6. Various set up shots of Cathal Austin, manager of Quays shopping centre

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Cathal Austin, manager of Quays shopping centre:

"We obviously had the Brexit vote and as a result, sterling collapsed to its lowest level for a number of years and it made Newry a more attractive shopping destination for our neighbours in the Republic of Ireland."

8. Various cutaways of Austin

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Cathal Austin, Manager, Quays shopping centre:

"We haven't seen these sorts of numbers since the 'Celtic Tiger' was laid to rest in 2008."

10. Various of Christmas tree

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Cathal Austin, Manager, Quays shopping centre:

"I have bumped into the odd person with rather a lot of vodka in their shopping trolley and wondered if they're still going to be alive in a couple of months time if they drink all that vodka. But one can assume that they're either buying it for friends and neighbours, or else possibly to sell on."

12. Various set up shots of shopper Fiachra MacRaghnaill showing the alcohol he has bought

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Fiachra MacRaghnaill, environmental scientist and Newry resident:

"We were here a couple of weeks ago and it was very busy and you could just tell all the licence plates of the cars were all Dublin, County Louth, County Meath – all the border counties. They were outnumbering the Northern (Irish) cars at least two-to-one."

14. Pan cars from the Republic of Ireland in the car park at the Quays

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Fiachra MacRaghnaill, environmental scientist and Newry resident:

"I don't see the difference between giving the profits to a multinational in one country or a multinational in another country - they're multinational. I would definitely shop local in places that pay their staff more, because I think that's a better way of putting money directly into the economy, but the profits of one rich man, or the profits of another rich man doesn't really sway me either way."

16. Snowman Christmas decoration in shopping centre

17. Shoppers outside clothes store

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Caitlin Doherty, resident of Drogheda, Republic of Ireland:

"Christmas presents, and makeup, and stuff like that, clothes."

Reporter: "How much have you spent and how much have you saved here?"

"I've spent 60 pounds and I've saved at least 30 euro."

19. Set up shot of shoppers loading car

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Simone Gray, shopper from the Republic of Ireland:

"You get a lot of people flock down for drink (alcohol) and there's really not a big difference. I wouldn't be flocking down for drink. You know, I'd buy one or two bottles of wine at home and that would be it anyway, but they do flock for drink, and people are coming from as far as Dublin and Drogheda, and places like that, but the border towns (in the Republic of Ireland) are suffering."

21. Various of man dressed as Santa Claus stacking presents

22. SOUNDBITE (English) Man dressed as Santa Claus:

"Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas - and euros or stirling, Santa accepts anything you like. You come and see me. Merry Christmas."