Other News In Brief

SDLP Leader Calls On Boris Johnson To Resign

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has called on Boris Johnson to resign.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Eastwood said that the Prime Minister has eroded public trust and shredded public confidence at the worst possible moment in a health emergency.

Speaking during Prime Ministers Questions in the House of Commons today, Colum Eastwood MP said: "Whether the Prime Minister wants to admit it or not, his actions over the last number of months have eroded public trust at the worst possible moment in a public health emergency. Excusing rule breaking by his own MPs in this house and ignoring rule breaking by his advisors in his own house has shredded public confidence in him and in this government.

"Given that he can't even lead Tory MPs to back the government's public health guidance, how can he continue to pretend that he's leading anyone and when will he realise that the best thing he can do in the public interest is resign?"

Belfast Festive Window Competition Winners Announced

Four Belfast city retailer and hospitality businesses have been announced as the winners of the annual Belfast City Centre Management festive window competition.

The competition was created 15 years ago but had a break last year due to Covid-19 and now, BCCM, a not-for-profit company, is proud to announce Nobletts, Søstrene Grene, Rusty Saddle and Mystiques Enchantments are the worthy winners of this year's event.

Lord Mayor of Belfast City Council, Councillor Kate Nicholl, said: "This is a lovely way to light up the city and spread a little bit of festive cheer among shoppers and visitors in the run-up to Christmas. Everyone loves the magic of fairy tales, which is a theme of our 'Once Upon a Time' festive programme this year, so I'm excited to see the window displays come to life."

Announcing the winners, Geraldine Duggan, City Centre Manager at Belfast City Centre Management Company, said: "It has been great to be able to bring back our annual Window Display Competition this year, at a time when our retail and hospitality business community needs it most.

"It's a jovial competition that has helped enliven the streets of the city and it has given much-needed custom a boost as well as lifting the spirits of staff who are working long hours over the festive season.

"We want to congratulate and thank this year's winners for the effort they put into lighting up the streets of our city. They have injected magic onto the streets and made a Christmas trip to the city a much brighter one."

This year's winners spanned four categories; Retail (Independent), Retail (Multiple), Hospitality and a Wild Card.  The Wild Card category went to Mystiques Enchantments and was based on the theme, 'Once Upon a Time', adding to the vibrant schedule of events Belfast City Council is already hosting this festive season to attract more footfall.

Winners received a bottle of champagne and chocolates to share with staff, as well as a certificate to display on their Wall of Awards. Photographs of the winners and runners-up will be displayed on the Festive Window Display Hall of Fame on BCCM's website.

SF Call For Extension Of High Street Scheme

Sinn Féin has called for the High Street Voucher scheme to be extended until Christmas Eve to allow those people who are still receiving their Spend Local card to have the opportunity to spend it.

The party's economy spokesperson, Caoimhe Archibald, said: "Some people have only received their Spend Local cards in the past couple of days and I understand that the last batch of cards has gone out but some cards are still in the post system so people may receive those in the next day or two.

"It is important for those people to have the opportunity to get out and spend their £100 card in local businesses.

"The scheme has already been extended up until midnight on 19th December, I have written to the economy minister calling for a further extension of a few days up until Christmas Eve.

"This would allow those people who have only just received their card to spend it fully and in doing so support local businesses and the local economy as intended by the scheme."