Menu
19/05/2017
Plans To Extend Sunday Trading Hours Rejected
Plans to extend Sunday trading hours in Northern Ireland have been rejected following a vote at Belfast City Council.
The council voted 12-3 opposing the the move. The DUP, Sinn Fein and the SDLP were all against the proposals.
Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: "Retail NI welcomes the comprehensive vote by Belfast City Councillors to drop plans to relax Sunday trading across the city. This would have given a further unfair competitive advantage to large supermarkets and disadvantaged local small shops, whose Sunday morning trade is vital for their survival.
"Furthermore this vote puts down an important marker to the other ten Local Councils not to consider relaxing Sunday trading through the backdoor of Resort Status.
"At the Committee this morning, we recommended that Lord Mayor immediately convene a 'Weekend Summit' to include Retail NI, Belfast Chamber of Commerce, USDAW and other interested groups to agree a strategy to improve the retail and hospitality offer in Belfast at the weekend for tourists and shoppers.
"Belfast has a fantastic retail and hospitality offer, but we need to look at how the city can make further improvements to improve the visitor experience."
However, Alliance Councillor Kate Nicholl said she was "extremely frustrated" the proposal had fallen at the first hurdle.
She said: "The failure to modernise Belfast City Centre not only makes city centre regeneration difficult, but could cost jobs and fails to open the city up to outside investment opportunities.
"Our proposal to limit opening hours to Belfast City centre took into account Unionist Councillor's concerns and those worries of small, independent retailers outside of the core city centre area.
"Belfast is an opening and welcoming city, yet on a Sunday when tourists arrive they are met with closed doors and limited activities on offer. We must do better. Especially as over 81 percent of people consulted so far believe it will benefit tourism.
"Alliance will continue to work towards achieving a solution that not only opens our city, but respects the views of others and I hope to continue consulting on this issue until we can deliver that."
(CD)
The council voted 12-3 opposing the the move. The DUP, Sinn Fein and the SDLP were all against the proposals.
Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: "Retail NI welcomes the comprehensive vote by Belfast City Councillors to drop plans to relax Sunday trading across the city. This would have given a further unfair competitive advantage to large supermarkets and disadvantaged local small shops, whose Sunday morning trade is vital for their survival.
"Furthermore this vote puts down an important marker to the other ten Local Councils not to consider relaxing Sunday trading through the backdoor of Resort Status.
"At the Committee this morning, we recommended that Lord Mayor immediately convene a 'Weekend Summit' to include Retail NI, Belfast Chamber of Commerce, USDAW and other interested groups to agree a strategy to improve the retail and hospitality offer in Belfast at the weekend for tourists and shoppers.
"Belfast has a fantastic retail and hospitality offer, but we need to look at how the city can make further improvements to improve the visitor experience."
However, Alliance Councillor Kate Nicholl said she was "extremely frustrated" the proposal had fallen at the first hurdle.
She said: "The failure to modernise Belfast City Centre not only makes city centre regeneration difficult, but could cost jobs and fails to open the city up to outside investment opportunities.
"Our proposal to limit opening hours to Belfast City centre took into account Unionist Councillor's concerns and those worries of small, independent retailers outside of the core city centre area.
"Belfast is an opening and welcoming city, yet on a Sunday when tourists arrive they are met with closed doors and limited activities on offer. We must do better. Especially as over 81 percent of people consulted so far believe it will benefit tourism.
"Alliance will continue to work towards achieving a solution that not only opens our city, but respects the views of others and I hope to continue consulting on this issue until we can deliver that."
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 February 2010
Belfast Retailers Offered Masterclasses
Belfast City Council is launching the next round of a popular business development programme 'Retail Therapy'. Open to all independent retailers across the city, it offers support and assistance on promoting their businesses to make them more competitive and profitable in today’s economic climate.
Belfast Retailers Offered Masterclasses
Belfast City Council is launching the next round of a popular business development programme 'Retail Therapy'. Open to all independent retailers across the city, it offers support and assistance on promoting their businesses to make them more competitive and profitable in today’s economic climate.
27 November 2023
Public Asked For Views On Nuisance Noise In Belfast City Centre
Belfast City Council is to explore the public's opinions on nuisance noise in the city centre and how to make the area more welcoming to shoppers and visitors. The council has announced a public consultation on the development of proposed new bye-laws.
Public Asked For Views On Nuisance Noise In Belfast City Centre
Belfast City Council is to explore the public's opinions on nuisance noise in the city centre and how to make the area more welcoming to shoppers and visitors. The council has announced a public consultation on the development of proposed new bye-laws.
10 May 2002
Belfast City Centre is “thriving” says Finance Minister
Belfast has a vibrant property investment market attracting many of the major UK and Irish investors and is outperforming other key retail centres in Britain, according to the Minister of Finance and Personnel, Dr Seán Farren.
Belfast City Centre is “thriving” says Finance Minister
Belfast has a vibrant property investment market attracting many of the major UK and Irish investors and is outperforming other key retail centres in Britain, according to the Minister of Finance and Personnel, Dr Seán Farren.
19 September 2018
Primark Donates £500,000 To Support Businesses Affected By Fire
Retailer Primark is donating £500,000 to Belfast City Council's City Recovery Investment Fund. The fund is being set up after a number of businesses have been severely affected by the fire at the Bank Buildings which happened over three weeks ago. A cordon remains in place and 14 firms have been closed for up to four months.
Primark Donates £500,000 To Support Businesses Affected By Fire
Retailer Primark is donating £500,000 to Belfast City Council's City Recovery Investment Fund. The fund is being set up after a number of businesses have been severely affected by the fire at the Bank Buildings which happened over three weeks ago. A cordon remains in place and 14 firms have been closed for up to four months.
15 March 2004
St Patrick's Day event has support of BCC says councillor
The Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Steering Panel has challenged claims that the Council is not supporting St Patrick’s Day in Belfast. It follows a protest outside Belfast City Hall last week by the St Patrick's Carnival Committee who claim the Council isn't funding this year's event at the City Hall.
St Patrick's Day event has support of BCC says councillor
The Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Steering Panel has challenged claims that the Council is not supporting St Patrick’s Day in Belfast. It follows a protest outside Belfast City Hall last week by the St Patrick's Carnival Committee who claim the Council isn't funding this year's event at the City Hall.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A few fog patches at first, soon clearing to leave a dry day with some patchy cloud and good sunny spells. Light and variable winds. Feeling mild in sunny spells. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Dry and quite chilly overnight under prolonged clear spells and light winds. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
