One third of North-east businesses hurt by Brexit says expert

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Plants Galore, which runs garden centres in Plymouth, Newton Abbot and Exeter, says it is in “a constant battle” to recruit skilled staff due to the departure of European workers from the UK. They claim it’s become so severe bosses have now decided to give away £100,000 worth of plants because they haven’t the manpower to return them to the firm’s nurseries.

Matt Pollard, a team leader at the group, said: “With the advent of Brexit and the departure of many European staff from the UK, we are suffering the same problem as many other businesses in the South West in finding suitable staff who want to work.

“In any usual year we would return these plants to our nursery to cut them back and grow them on for future years.

“This year it is simply not an option as like many businesses in our sector and the region we can’t find enough staff to work at our nurseries.

“It is a constant battle to recruit skilled staff in the current climate resulting in this decision to simply give the plants away.”

Many businesses in the UK are experiencing staff shortages at the moment in the wake of Brexit and due to the pandemic, reports Plymouth Live.

Mr Pollard added: “We are very keen to hear from potential employees looking for a career in retail horticulture both here in Devon and at our Yeovil nurseries and they can contact us at [email protected] but we also need a sensible government scheme for horticulture to employ European staff on a seasonal or contract basis if UK workers don’t want this type of work.

“We hope the giveaway of these plants will allow our customers the opportunity to pick up some free plants. There’s no catch – simply turn up and load your car with as many plants as you get fit in.

“First come first served. We just need to move the plants on to a good home.”

The free plants will be located in the carparks of the Plants Galore stores in Plymouth, Newton Abbot and Exeter.

The giveaway starts at 8am on Friday, August 13.

Figures show more than 90,000 EU workers left the UK in a mass Brexit exodus.

The hospitality sector in particular took a huge hit over the past year.

John Hamilton, who owns Bar Pop in Manchester, voted Brexit in 2016 but told Express.co.uk this week he is struggling to recruit new staff.

He said: “We can’t get the minimum wage staff. We’ve just noticed this year – certainly around hospitality – we had a meeting. A discussion about it. And literally (there) is not enough staff to run (the bar).”

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