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Sir Richard Branson: Hard Brexit would be 'devastating' for British holidaymakers

A hard Brexit would be “devastating” for holidaymakers, according to Sir Richard Branson.

Speaking at the launch of the new Virgin Departure Beach in Barbados, the Virgin founder said that if a hard Brexit were to take place, “it would be disastrous for all of us”.

Chief among the issues for travellers would be the price of holidaying abroad. Sterling fell to the lowest level in 18 months this week as Theresa May announced she was delaying the Brexit vote.

Sir Richard added that if the pound went to parity with the dollar, he wasn’t sure whether British holidaymakers would still be able to travel and they would have to pay a lot more to go overseas.

“Whatever happens, a hard Brexit mustn’t happen,” he added.

“Being part of the common market for many reasons is very important for Britain. It’s the biggest crisis that Britain has faced since the Second World War.”

Sir Richard has previously called for a second referendum based on “real facts”.

The billionaire had flown into Barbados from his home on Necker Island, in the British Virgin Islands, for the launch of Virgin Holidays’ first ‘departure lounge on a beach’ concept. Located on Brownes Beach on the western coast of the Caribbean island, Departure Beach allows Virgin travellers to check in directly on the beach. They can pick up their boarding pass and drop off their luggage before spending their last holiday day relaxing on the sand.

Alongside Sir Richard, the Saturday night launch party for Departure Beach was attended by a bevvy of famous faces including Pixie Lott, Pixie Geldof and Oliver Cheshire among others. DJ Maya Jama, alongside local Bajan bands, entertained the crowds.

Nicki Goldsmith, head of Caribbean and worldwide product at Virgin Holidays, called the Departure Beach concept “revolutionary”.

“The picturesque beach side lounge area ensures that no Virgin Holidays customer will waste their precious island time on the last day of their holiday – it’s the ultimate way to maximise the delights of a holiday in Barbados.”

Joe Thompson, managing director of Virgin Holidays, hinted that Virgin would like to roll out the Departure Beach concept to other islands in the Caribbean, but had “no firm plans” right now to do so.