Growth In Empty NI Shops Lead To Worries

The growing number of empty shops across NI is causing concerns.

Last week, it was revealed that more than one in 10 town and city centre shops across the UK were vacant at the end of May with NI having an even worse rate closer to two in 10 - or more than 17%.

According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) a study found the average vacancy rate was 11.2%, rising to 17.1% in Northern Ireland, the worst affected nation or region.

Wales was next, with a rate of 13.4%, with the north of England on 13.1%.

The BRC said consumer spending is being hit hard by higher inflation, job losses and low wage growth.

Its report also found that overall footfall - the number of people entering shops - was 1% lower in July than a year earlier.

Alliance Enterprise Spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has expressed shock at the level of vacant town centre shops in Northern Ireland. Figures announced by the British Retail Consortium show that over 17% of town centre shop units are vacant here, which is 5% more that the average in the UK.

Trevor Lunn MLA said: "This is a staggering figure and it is very important that action is taken to help support town centre businesses and encourage entrepreneurship.

"It is vital that strong support is provided for small and medium-sized retail enterprises and that there is pro-active work to encourage entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland.

"It's crucial that we look at radical approaches to help boost our town centres.

"The sight of vacant shops is a very sad symptom of the global economic situation and it demonstrates the impact that these tough times are having on business here. I am very troubled that the figure for Northern Ireland is so much higher than that of the UK average," he said.

"Our town centres play such an important role in our economy and they are the key focal point of communities. It is vital that action is taken to address this deeply worrying trend."

(BMcC/GK)