Port of Holyhead Home to 'World's Smallest' Duty-Free Border Store Opens In Shipping Container

21st September 2021

At the north Wales ferry port of Holyhead, Afloat adds operated by Stena, is also where another Swedish company, the travel retailer R&F has opened 'probably' the world's smallest border shop! Credit: Stena Line-twitter

According to NorthWalesLive, the Port of Holyhead, the "world's smallest" border duty free store has opened using the inside of a shipping container.

Irish daytrippers were a regular sight on the streets of Holyhead during the 1980s and 90s, with the town’s shops and pubs benefiting while visitors took advantage of duty-free sales onboard while sailing from Dublin Port and Dún Laoghaire Harbour.

But it came to an end in 1999 when the EU scrapped the sale of tax-free alcohol, tobacco and perfume while travelling between member states.

Following Brexit duty free made a return - initially on board vessels of Stena Line and Irish Ferries.

Now a border shop has opened in the ferry port of Holyhead.

Swedish travel retailer R&F began trading at the store this week.

They said: "Welcome to (probably) the world's smallest border shop!

More here on this land-based retail development.

According to Forbes, the travel retailer R&F—a distribution and, more recently, is a retail affiliate of ferry group Stena Line

Published in Stena Line

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About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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