Northern Irish firms say UK-EU deal is a step in the right direction

A freight lorry bound for Great Britain passes through customs checks at the port of Larne in Northern Ireland. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters

The UK’s trade deal with the European Union is expected to smooth trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but for some businesses in the latter it no longer matters, as they have ditched British suppliers.

“Overall the deal is welcome but we’re indifferent,” said Peter Bradley, a director of the Mid-Ulster Garden Centre. “We give our business now to Dutch, Italian and Republic of Ireland companies. We’ve got into a nice pattern and rhythm, post-Brexit, and British suppliers have almost become unnecessary.”