11/06/2010
John Lewis Delay 'Deplorable', Says UUP
Ulster Unionist MLA for Lagan Valley, Basil McCrea, has labelled as "deplorable" the delay around the proposed John Lewis development at Sprucefield, Co Antrim.
He said: "This is totally unacceptable, particularly in the current climate. We should be facilitating investment, but instead it seems there is a determination to drive it away."
Mr McCrea’s comments came after it was revealed that a public inquiry into proposals for a flagship John Lewis store in Northern Ireland adjourned on its first day without hearing any of the evidence.
"I am staggered that this has been dragged out for so long, when we are in such desperate need of opportunities to bring Northern Ireland to the fore as an investment hub," he said.
"We need to give the Northern Ireland economy all the help we can, and driving away an investor who is likely to provide 700 jobs - not to mention a substantial boost to the construction industry - is utter madness."
Mr McCrea concluded: "John Lewis is handing Northern Ireland investment of over £200 million, and we are making them jump through hoops over a period of years?
"Northern Ireland cannot afford to subject investors to the bureaucratic nightmare that the good people of John Lewis have endured to date."
(NS/GK)
He said: "This is totally unacceptable, particularly in the current climate. We should be facilitating investment, but instead it seems there is a determination to drive it away."
Mr McCrea’s comments came after it was revealed that a public inquiry into proposals for a flagship John Lewis store in Northern Ireland adjourned on its first day without hearing any of the evidence.
"I am staggered that this has been dragged out for so long, when we are in such desperate need of opportunities to bring Northern Ireland to the fore as an investment hub," he said.
"We need to give the Northern Ireland economy all the help we can, and driving away an investor who is likely to provide 700 jobs - not to mention a substantial boost to the construction industry - is utter madness."
Mr McCrea concluded: "John Lewis is handing Northern Ireland investment of over £200 million, and we are making them jump through hoops over a period of years?
"Northern Ireland cannot afford to subject investors to the bureaucratic nightmare that the good people of John Lewis have endured to date."
(NS/GK)
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08 June 2010
John Lewis Plan Faces Further Delay
A public inquiry into a controversial department store plan near Lisburn has been put back until the Autumn. Over six years since the plan was first mooted, the probe aims to look into the proposals for a flagship John Lewis store. However, it opened on Monday only to be adjourned on its first day - without hearing any of the evidence.
John Lewis Plan Faces Further Delay
A public inquiry into a controversial department store plan near Lisburn has been put back until the Autumn. Over six years since the plan was first mooted, the probe aims to look into the proposals for a flagship John Lewis store. However, it opened on Monday only to be adjourned on its first day - without hearing any of the evidence.
26 September 2013
Sponsors Announced For The Northern Ireland Investment Conference
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced Danske Bank and British Airways as joint sponsors of the Northern Ireland Investment Conference. Organised by Invest Northern Ireland on behalf of the NI Executive, the conference will be held from 10-11 October at Titanic Belfast.
Sponsors Announced For The Northern Ireland Investment Conference
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced Danske Bank and British Airways as joint sponsors of the Northern Ireland Investment Conference. Organised by Invest Northern Ireland on behalf of the NI Executive, the conference will be held from 10-11 October at Titanic Belfast.
02 July 2003
IT firm announce £90m investment
Leading IT company, Seagate Technology has announced it is to invest £90 million at its Londonderry plant over the next three years. The investment will help the US company's Springtown plant develop new technology that could provide computer manufacturers with hard disc drives that offer increases in storage capacity and performance.
IT firm announce £90m investment
Leading IT company, Seagate Technology has announced it is to invest £90 million at its Londonderry plant over the next three years. The investment will help the US company's Springtown plant develop new technology that could provide computer manufacturers with hard disc drives that offer increases in storage capacity and performance.
10 April 2002
NI to play key role in UK construction future
Northern Ireland is set to become a template for change in UK construction and the champion for increased investment in the industry, according to construction pioneer Sir John Egan.
NI to play key role in UK construction future
Northern Ireland is set to become a template for change in UK construction and the champion for increased investment in the industry, according to construction pioneer Sir John Egan.
25 September 2001
Sir John Harvey-Jones addresses textile conference
Business expert Sir John Harvey-Jones has been on hand to address the province on key issues facing the textiles and clothing industries in Northern Ireland.
Sir John Harvey-Jones addresses textile conference
Business expert Sir John Harvey-Jones has been on hand to address the province on key issues facing the textiles and clothing industries in Northern Ireland.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.