Brexit’s bashed the bric-a-brac business

I NCIDENTALLY, anyone who enjoys visiting physical markets rather than websites might have noticed that all the lovely old French linen, painted furniture and mirrors have gone missing.

Post-Brexit, British dealers who used to load their vans with such treasures and hop back on the ferry now have to fill in such demanding paperwork, itemising every Normandy wicker planter and coathook, that they’ve simply given up.

Which means we’re stuck with plain old British bric-a-brac and heavy, dark brown furniture.