London bombings could affect Belfast retail trade - UU academic

The London bombings could have a disastrous effect on the retail trade across the UK including Belfast, a leading academic has claimed.

University of Ulster expert Donald McFetridge said that while the immediate impact of the July 7 attacks would initially be most deeply felt in London, the effect was likely to spread to other principal shopping destinations and cities like Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Belfast.

"Although London was the major tourist destination in the UK, visitors often travel to other parts including Belfast and the Republic of Ireland. Any reduction in the number of visitors to London would therefore have a knock on effect," Professor McFetridge said.

“It is vital, particularly at this time of difficult trading in the high street, for retailers to make every effort possible to attract shoppers back to their businesses in the hope that they can be the winners in this battle against terrorism and economic downturn."

Mr McFetridge said that visitors who had been planning to come to the UK pre July 7 and the later failed attempts on July 21 may now review their travel plans because of the attacks, thus resulting in a potential loss in trade for UK retailers.

(MB/SP)