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15/10/2018
Aftermath Of Primark Fire Could See 20 Businesses Close
As Belfast continues to deal with the fall-out from the Primark fire, over 20 businesses are at risk of closure with as many as 2000 jobs at stake.
The blaze destroyed the historic Bank Buildings on Royal Avenue in August, and a retail chief has warned that businesses are "on their knees".
14 retailers are currently closed as they fall within the safety cordon, while dozens more are struggling to cope with a loss in footfall, which has dropped by a third.
The Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) said that footfall has "crashed" across Northern Ireland as the impact of the fire has affected region-wide figures.
NIRC boss Aodhan Connolly called for Chancellor Philip Hammond to help Belfast retailers in his Budget this month.
He said: "This drastic dip in shopper footfall after two good months comes directly on the back of the fire that affected Primark's flagship store in Belfast city centre, Northern Ireland's main retail destination. This sad occurrence has effectively split Belfast's busiest thoroughfare, and the city centre, in two.
"This is distressing not only for Primark and the 14 businesses within the cordon who cannot open, but also those in the locale who are affected by the footfall drop, and their suppliers.
"We need the Chancellor in his forthcoming budget to make a tangible difference, not only to Belfast but to the whole industry in this current time of structural change."
A report by Springboard showed that footfall was down 4.6% across Northern Ireland, worse than an average 1.7% decline over the last three months and the 12-month average of 1.9%.
Glyn Roberts, from Retail NI said recently: "This is the biggest threat to Belfast City Centre since the Troubles.
"There are anywhere between 1000 and 2000 jobs at risk; and two dozen businesses that are at threat unless we get this situation resolved."
Belfast City Council responded to the fire by announcing how it will spend a donation of £500,000 from Primark to help shops both within the cordon and outside its immediate area. Around 90 businesses are eligible to apply for help from the fund.
(JG)
The blaze destroyed the historic Bank Buildings on Royal Avenue in August, and a retail chief has warned that businesses are "on their knees".
14 retailers are currently closed as they fall within the safety cordon, while dozens more are struggling to cope with a loss in footfall, which has dropped by a third.
The Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) said that footfall has "crashed" across Northern Ireland as the impact of the fire has affected region-wide figures.
NIRC boss Aodhan Connolly called for Chancellor Philip Hammond to help Belfast retailers in his Budget this month.
He said: "This drastic dip in shopper footfall after two good months comes directly on the back of the fire that affected Primark's flagship store in Belfast city centre, Northern Ireland's main retail destination. This sad occurrence has effectively split Belfast's busiest thoroughfare, and the city centre, in two.
"This is distressing not only for Primark and the 14 businesses within the cordon who cannot open, but also those in the locale who are affected by the footfall drop, and their suppliers.
"We need the Chancellor in his forthcoming budget to make a tangible difference, not only to Belfast but to the whole industry in this current time of structural change."
A report by Springboard showed that footfall was down 4.6% across Northern Ireland, worse than an average 1.7% decline over the last three months and the 12-month average of 1.9%.
Glyn Roberts, from Retail NI said recently: "This is the biggest threat to Belfast City Centre since the Troubles.
"There are anywhere between 1000 and 2000 jobs at risk; and two dozen businesses that are at threat unless we get this situation resolved."
Belfast City Council responded to the fire by announcing how it will spend a donation of £500,000 from Primark to help shops both within the cordon and outside its immediate area. Around 90 businesses are eligible to apply for help from the fund.
(JG)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with a little light rain or drizzle at times, but some spells of drier weather too. The north coast may become somewhat brighter later this afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
