AN Acton design company that today (27) received royal recognition for its export growth is warning of the impact of a hard or no-deal Brexit.

Rex London designs and sells gift and homeware products from its Acton Vale base, where it employs more than 70 people and had a £12m turnover in 2018.

It received the Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade from the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Ealing, Richard Kornicki.

Sales director Nigel Biggs highlights the importance of staying connected with international customers.

“We take a global outlook – with a particular focus on Europe,” he said. “Our websites are fully translated into French, German and Spanish, and we take part in several European trade shows each year.

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“Clearly, we are worried that a hard or no-deal Brexit would affect the continued growth and our ability to expand further into European markets.

“That’s why we have recently established bases in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, so we can sell direct to local retailers.

“This presence will also act as our foothold in the European Union should the UK leave without a deal, allowing us to avoid additional custom clearances while maintaining prompt delivery to our customers.”

Mr Biggs cautioned that any shift in order processing might have a long-term impact on staffing numbers in Acton.

Guests at the ceremony in its Acton base included Ealing Central and Acton MP Rupa Huq and the Mayor of Ealing, Cllr Abdullah Gulaid.