Traders Urged To Support Giro d'Italia

The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) is urging traders to use this year's Giro d#'Italia cycle race to the advantage of the local economy.

The Giro d'Italia is one of the most famous races in the world and takes place in Italy, but also includes neighbouring countries.

This year, the race will begin in Belfast and follow a route that will take cyclists along the Antrim coast and down through Armagh.

NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: "With an estimated 775m people watching globally, in excess of 140,000 visitors to Northern Ireland and £2.5m of economic activity, our retail sector needs to give their full support.

"The Giro d’Italia will be a fantastic global opportunity to showcase the very best of Northern Ireland and to boost our tourism offer. With the route passing through Belfast and 21 other towns, it will give retailers an opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland on a world stage through new shop window displays, creative couture and the very best customer service."

Mr Roberts has also backed a call by Northern Ireland's Environment Minister Mark H Durkan to remove all party election posters along the route.

"If we are serious about showing our best to a world audience, we would urge all party support for DOE Minister Mark Durkan's proposal to ban election posters on the Giro d’Italia routes," he said.

(IT/MH)