Primark Fire: Businesses Will Be Unable To Trade For Four Months

A number of businesses within the Primark safety exclusion zone will not be able to open for a minimum of four months.

A major fire broke out at the Bank Buildings and the blaze took around three days to be fully extinguished.

Over the coming days, engineers will be assessing the site before drawing up a plan for next the steps which could include building a bracing solution to secure Bank Buildings.

At a meeting hosted by Belfast City Council, city centre traders were given an update following the fire at Bank Buildings last week.

Fourteen businesses are currently unable to trade as they remain within the safety cordon.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Deirdre Hargey said: "While it is imperative that the safety cordon remains, we recognise it is having a serious impact - not just on the traders within the cordon, but for those in the immediate area who are suffering due to a reduction in footfall.

"In the coming days and weeks, we will be implementing a range of measures to help businesses who are struggling in the current situation. Alongside the group meetings, the council has continued to hold one to one meetings with businesses affected to understand all of the individual issues.

"We will be doing everything we can to restore the city to the very vibrant place that it is, and, it is vital that as a city, we continue to rally round to support those affected by this event both directly and indirectly."

(CD)