The B word
There are less than 50 days to go until the UK officially leaves the European Union, and as we write, the prospect of a deal still looks vanishingly small.
Confusion reigns and frankly despite the importance of what happens in the coming weeks and months, plenty of people we have spoken to are just heartily bored of the whole Brexit debate.
There is no doubt than many businesses in the UK leisure industry have started to feel Brexit bite – manufacturers have seen an unfavourable pound increase the costs of raw materials, dealerships have noticed that potential customers, confused and tired of endless conflicting coverage, have been delaying upgrading their leisure vehicles.
All businesses are now looking at how best to plan for the future, but finding reliable information and projections does not make that an easy process.
In November 2018 Brittany Ferries announced that it had seen a fall in advance bookings for 2019 as potential holidaymakers wait to see what Brexit will bring. But in late January this year Lastmintue.com reported that bookings to key European destinations are on the rise with increases in bookings of 35% to some destinations.
In the face of such conflicting information what can businesses do?
We think the answer is pretty much carry on doing what you would normally do. Take control of the things that you can change, that way you will be ready, whatever the outcome.
Yes, there needs to be planning, and contingencies put in place, but it is virtually impossible to plan for an uncertain future. The only thing that you can be sure of is that in the current economic and political climate your business needs to be in the best possible shape it can be, so focus your efforts on the things you can control. Create a strong team, produce great products, focus on outstanding customer service, invest in new technology and carry on marketing.
Businesses do not have the same luxury as the consumer to sit it out and see what happens. Those that stand still will only fall further behind; now is the time to be proactive to ensure that when consumer confidence returns, as it will do, they are ready and waiting with a strong, solid business which will continue to thrive.














