The last few weeks of the year typically saw a mad dash of champagne-starved Brits stocking up in Calais ahead of the festive season. But now the latest full lockdown in London and other parts of England have quashed any movement, and a mutant strain of the coronavirus even prompted France to temporarily shut its border to the U.K. last month, cutting off an important artery for the Calais alcohol trade.
“We were hoping for one last firework in the last quarter of the year before the good bye but it hasn’t happened,” said Jerome Pont, the founder of the Calais Vins outlet.
Among past visitors is Amber Vellacott, 25, from Folkestone in South East England, who says she used to go every year with her parents to stock up on alcohol in Calais. It worked out cheaper to pay the tickets for the tunnel and stock up than it buying in the supermarket back at home every weekend.
Year’s Supply
Last year, the family opted out because of the pandemic, and Vellacott said they may give up altogether if Brexit makes things too complicated.
“I’m not sure what the plans are for [2021], but I know if it’s going to be any more difficult than it has been to get there normally, then we’ll probably won’t go,” she said.
That sort of behavior is unwelcome news for merchants like Boursot, who set up his namesake store in 2006 and expects revenue to drop by 15% in 2020 from 2019. Boursot says he’s managed to soften the blow from the lockdowns and quarantines by sending out wine to his 8,000 loyal customers.
“I’ve been in the wine business all my life and it’s not something that I’m going to give up like that,” he said.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.