The grownups are back Cheesemaker who sold firm over Brexit welcomes new deal

A British cheesemaker who was forced to sell his business because of a £600,000 loss caused by Brexit red tape has welcomed the new deal with Brussels, but says it comes four years too late.

- Lisa O'Carroll

Simon Spurrell, who made headlines when he highlighted prohibitive export costs after the UK's exit from the single market, said he was delighted the "grownups are back in the room" and he would now consider relaunching his business as long as the details are confirmed.

"It is good news but we could have had this from day one. It is just such a shame it has taken so long. We could have had this in 2020," he said.

His company's business model was upended overnight by the hard Brexit deal sealed by Boris Johnson, with 20% of Spurrell's sales revenue disappearing immediately.

The former prime minister decided to reject the EU's offer of a Swiss-style deal that would have obviated the need for veterinary certification on food including red meat, poultry and shellfish because it would have meant the UK aligning itself with EU rules.

A version of the Swiss deal, with most sanitary and phytosanitary checks - the latter related to agriculture - eliminated, is now back on the table, with hopes it can be concluded within a year.