Berlin-Kreuzberg : Broken English says Goodbye

Some customers are "already in tears", says Dale Carr, and also you shed a few tears, if you remember that it is the "Broken English" soon. For 24 years of specialties and gift shop in the Kreuzberg Körtestraße Institution and a haven for lovers of British cuisine and culture. Here the British and Berlin to buy the same Share of Haggis – a Scottish dish consisting of a with organs stuffed sheep's stomach, the typical English, Spicy Marmite, Christmas Crackers, and Sausages. However, in may, the Store will close.

The decision was made after the Brexit Referendum, in which the British 2016 had almost for the exit from the EU. Dale Carr and her husband Robin, had already thought of longer to sell your business and retire. The vote was a decisive occasion. Because if the UK no longer belong to the EU, it is significantly more complex to import real British cuisine. So far, this business model, trade with the British Were worthwhile, but with the Brexit, this will change. Then the UK is from the EU to a third country, that means more bureaucracy and higher costs.

Brexit is always the topic in the Store

"That is for me personally too much," explains Dale Carr. She knows a vendor whose product range in addition to some British food, Haggis. The need to adjust for the trade with third countries is now one of our own employees, to handle only the paperwork. No longer are "an expense we are able, and I learn, too," Dale Carr.

Since the Referendum, Brexit and its consequences are always the topic in the Store. "So far I have had only three customers that were the outlet for the EU," says Carr – and not come back. For this you have to get new, young visitors, which are moved from the UK to Berlin.

The woman, from Sheffield, has lived for 40 years in Germany, in 1995 they opened their Store. Actually, they wanted to sell only small gifts, but soon the first customers asked for British specialties such as bitter orange jam, recalls Dale Carr today to the beginnings of the "Broken English".

Carrs Store in Berlin-Charlottenburg is already closed. In the Körtestraße the Briton is planning a "farewell on Rates".Photo: Kai-Uwe Heinrich

recent orders are made

you quickly learned which varieties customers wanted, and sold henceforth British products with its own imprint, intended as a gift. But the customers wanted more and more food products: mustard powder, Bacon and British sausages, English beer. "I thought these things would be in Germany, no good reputation," says Dale Carr. The enthusiasm of many customers for British food, you have amazed. But they dared to Experiment and was successful, at times they had three stores in Berlin.

Today, there is only the root house in the Körtestraße 10, the Carrs prepare a farewell on Rates. It is a "German Goodbye", as Dale Carr announced, grinning. If you have not adopted a Time and goes, but always paused for a short while and then the next time you step out the door. So, at least, a well-Known explained this to her, as she was new in Berlin.

Many of the last orders are now made. What time is the last shipment coming in, is not yet quite sure. Now to make some people hoarding, just Carr has received an order for five pounds of tea. "Many of the customers are shocked, that really is over soon." The lease runs out at the end of June.

On a Happy ending Dale Carr no longer hopes not – at least, not in your home country. The Referendum had divided the country, it would be British against British. "The damage is long term, not going deep in the people", even if it was for Brexit. The "Broken English" could, however, benefit from it. The UK remains in the EU, would perhaps be someone who would lead the business further – you have found someone else to do it.

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