"Act Fast" To Save NI Town Centres, Politicians Told

Retailers have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to 'act fast' to save high street shopping.

At an emergency summit today, the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIRRTA) will recommend 50 ways to solve towns' problems.

The Town Centre Summit at Stormont comes after experts predicted that 2,000 local shops could face closure this year.

NIIRTA are asking politicians to freeze car parking charges for ten years, reduce VAT, stop out-of-town superstore developments for five years and create full rates relief for new businesses in town centres with 40% empty shop windows.

NIIRTA president Paul Stewart said the summit was "very timely" as it has recently emerged Northern Ireland has more vacant premises than anywhere else in the UK.

He said: "With some town centres approaching a 50% shop vacancy rate, projected figures of 2,000 local shops closing this year and a staggering two million sq ft of out-of-town superstore development currently being processed by the Department of the Environment's planning service, we are facing meltdown unless the Executive acts fast."

NIIRTA, which represents 1,300 retailers, has called for three departments to merge into a Department for Strategic Development, and wants the Assembly to create a new Department for the Economy.

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland responded: "I support any initiative which can benefit our town and city centres which are clearly facing a difficult time in the present economic climate. Our focus should be on putting the heart back into the centre of our high streets."

(NE)