Menu
19/11/2012
NIRC Shop Vacancy Survey Results Described As 'Shocking'
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) has described the NIRC Shop Vacancy survey findings as "shocking".
The surbey shows that 1 in 5 local shops are now vacant and that Northern Ireland has not just the highest shop vacancy rate in the UK, but nearly twice the national average.
NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: "Like the recent Lisney report, this survey paints a very grim picture of 1 in 5 shops vacant. Belfast already has 1 in 4 shops vacant and the overall trend is moving toward a quarter of all shops being vacant by the middle of 2013.
"It is good to see increased footfall in our town centres but it is very clear that this is not translating into increased sales for many retailers.
"While these figures are alarming, our focus has to be on solutions to this growing problem. The Executive is making good progress on Rates and Car Parking but has still not produced a strong planning policy to support town centre retailing.
"The Executive needs a new joined up strategy to tackle this problem, alongside comprehensive retail development plans for each town and city to reverse this decline. NIIRTA has already published a 50 point plan, Town Centre First, setting out our ideas and we will continue to bring solutions to Ministers on this issue."
(CD)
The surbey shows that 1 in 5 local shops are now vacant and that Northern Ireland has not just the highest shop vacancy rate in the UK, but nearly twice the national average.
NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: "Like the recent Lisney report, this survey paints a very grim picture of 1 in 5 shops vacant. Belfast already has 1 in 4 shops vacant and the overall trend is moving toward a quarter of all shops being vacant by the middle of 2013.
"It is good to see increased footfall in our town centres but it is very clear that this is not translating into increased sales for many retailers.
"While these figures are alarming, our focus has to be on solutions to this growing problem. The Executive is making good progress on Rates and Car Parking but has still not produced a strong planning policy to support town centre retailing.
"The Executive needs a new joined up strategy to tackle this problem, alongside comprehensive retail development plans for each town and city to reverse this decline. NIIRTA has already published a 50 point plan, Town Centre First, setting out our ideas and we will continue to bring solutions to Ministers on this issue."
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 March 2024
O'Dowd Announces New Measures To Tackle MOT Waiting Lists
New measures designed to tackle MOT waiting lists have been announced by Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd. Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, 11 March, Mr O'Dowd said he will explore the introduction of temporary exemption certificates and proposals to consult on testing every two years.
O'Dowd Announces New Measures To Tackle MOT Waiting Lists
New measures designed to tackle MOT waiting lists have been announced by Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd. Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, 11 March, Mr O'Dowd said he will explore the introduction of temporary exemption certificates and proposals to consult on testing every two years.
08 March 2024
Additional £3m Announced For Supporting People Programme
An additional £3 million in funding for the Supporting People programme, which aims to the quality of life for vulnerable people through appropriate housing-related services, has been announced by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.
Additional £3m Announced For Supporting People Programme
An additional £3 million in funding for the Supporting People programme, which aims to the quality of life for vulnerable people through appropriate housing-related services, has been announced by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.
09 April 2024
Other News In Brief
Executive Must 'Start Delivering' – SDLP The SDLP has said that the Executive must "start delivering for people across the North". SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA made the call during a debate on the Spring Supplementary Estimates in the Assembly on Tuesday.
Other News In Brief
Executive Must 'Start Delivering' – SDLP The SDLP has said that the Executive must "start delivering for people across the North". SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA made the call during a debate on the Spring Supplementary Estimates in the Assembly on Tuesday.
15 March 2024
Executive Committed To 'Better Shared Future For Everyone'
A key priority for Northern Ireland's newly restored Executive is "delivering a better shared future for everyone", the First Minister and deputy First Minister have told the NI Bureau breakfast event in Washington.
Executive Committed To 'Better Shared Future For Everyone'
A key priority for Northern Ireland's newly restored Executive is "delivering a better shared future for everyone", the First Minister and deputy First Minister have told the NI Bureau breakfast event in Washington.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A rather cloudy morning, with a little patchy light rain or drizzle to start. Skies clearing and becoming dry and increasingly sunny in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Dry with prolonged clear spells through the evening and overnight. This will allow for some fog patches to develop in places overnight. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
