Toilet paper shelves ‘could be empty’ if no-deal Brexit causes supply delays

As the UK continues to prepare for a potential no-deal Brexit, there is one thing Brits are particularly worried about – toilet paper.

Social media users have been taking to Twitter to post images of their ‘year long supply’ of loo roll amid fears they won’t be able to get any after October 31.

Many Brits have dedicated spare rooms, cellars and garages – with one nicknamed the ‘Apocalyptic Pantry’ – to stockpiling the bathroom essential along with food supplies.

And according to the boss of a toilet paper manufacturer, Brits have a reason to be concerned as empty supermarket shelves could become a reality if supply chains are disrupted.

Khurram Iqbal, managing director of Manchester-based Nova Tissue Ltd, told Metro.co.uk as little as a week of delays could put suppliers in deep water.

Mr Iqbal said: ‘Given how heavily reliant the UK is on imports of the main raw material needed to produce both toilet tissue and kitchen roll (jumbo reels), it is only natural that customers are concerned about keeping stocks of paper products high.

This is the household Brexit stockpile. Whatever else happens now, we ain’t running out of loo roll any time soon. #brexitprep #BrexitShambles #iwouldntwipemyarseonit pic.twitter.com/8z0dWTqKPi

— Alison Gibbs (@guineagibbs) April 13, 2019

‘Whilst there is no real shortage of toilet paper manufacturers, any period of disruption longer than one week for incoming supplies at the ports will severely test suppliers.

‘Prolonged disruption could very well lead to some empty shop shelves in the paper aisles.’

The UK is Europe’s biggest importer of toilet paper and unplanned border changes or custom checks in the event of a no-deal Brexit could cause some serious toilet issues.

Around 1.3 million tonnes of tissue is used in the UK per year, with around 1.1 million being imported, said The Confederation of Paper Industries.

Mr Iqbals’ comments come after the news that Brits preparing for no-deal Brexit have so far spent £4 billion on food, medicine and other essentials.

Research found that one in five had spent around £380 each fearing severe supply chain disruptions if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal in just over two months.

Organised the basement today, mostly because I had "clean drain" on my to do list and filling bin bags with old styrofoam packaging was more appealing. The Brexit stockpile is finally off the floor, at least! pic.twitter.com/pa0SoimwAo

— Mina Kelly (@solelyfictional) August 11, 2019

Jonathan and Rob, from Nantwich, Cheshire, are one of many concerned about a potential shortage and have been using their garage to hold a ‘year’s supply’ of toilet paper.

‘We’ve named our garage the Apocalyptic Pantry,’ Jonathan told Metro.co.uk.

‘We’re stockpiling due to uncertainty and have just been stocking up on life essentials throughout this year.

‘So, if there is a shortage we don’t have to panic buy and don’t have to pay the anticipated increased prices.

‘We embraced frugal living at the start of the year and worked out what essentials we’d need and got the best deal out there by buying bulk’.

Jack, from London, said he also started stockpiling amid fears the UK could crash out of the EU without a deal.

He said: ‘I understand that supply chains for foodstuffs and other household items are highly likely to be disrupted or stopped altogether.

‘I have started doing it now to avoid the rush. They are all items we would use anyway except for the tinned mackerel and Fray Bentos pies!’

Toilet paper is one of the items Jack has added to his stockpile list, which friends initially found funny but now understand given the severity of supply chain delays.

Her added: ‘I understand most of or all of our loo roll is made in the EU, so it will be unobtainable or in tight supply in the event of a no deal Brexit.’