Lord Mayor shows support for our independent retailers as city opens

Belfast Lord Mayor Alderman Frank McCoubrey has been visiting retailers across the city as businesses begin to reopen to the public.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey is pictured alongside (left to right) Glynn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI, Paul Carlin, Antrim Road Traders Group Chair and Anthony McCambridge from Castle Locksmiths in North BelfastLord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey is pictured alongside (left to right) Glynn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI, Paul Carlin, Antrim Road Traders Group Chair and Anthony McCambridge from Castle Locksmiths in North Belfast
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey is pictured alongside (left to right) Glynn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI, Paul Carlin, Antrim Road Traders Group Chair and Anthony McCambridge from Castle Locksmiths in North Belfast

Following a recent walkabout in the city centre, Alderman McCoubrey visited a number of independent retailers in the east and north of the city to hear first-hand about some of the challenges they have been faced with, as they start to welcome their customers back safely.

Alderman McCoubrey said: “Independent retailers play such an important role in the city, and they are at the heart of their communities; people rely on them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It has been an exceptionally difficult time for businesses and local retail but I’m really pleased that we are starting to move in the right direction, and we are beginning to see shops across the city reopen their doors.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey joined Anthony McCambridge at Castle Locksmiths on the Antrim Road in North Belfast as local retailers across the city begin to reopen their doors to customersLord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey joined Anthony McCambridge at Castle Locksmiths on the Antrim Road in North Belfast as local retailers across the city begin to reopen their doors to customers
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey joined Anthony McCambridge at Castle Locksmiths on the Antrim Road in North Belfast as local retailers across the city begin to reopen their doors to customers

Retailers have worked hard to introduce measures to protect staff and customers; and while it has been a challenge for everyone to get back up and running, I think people are accepting of the new arrangements and understand that they’re in place to keep everyone safe.

“Every business has been affected by this in some way or another, but I am really pleased that there is still so much positivity among our business community.”

Chief Executive of Retail NI, Glyn Roberts said: “It’s fantastic to see local traders across the city beginning to reopen their doors to the public.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The Covid-19 crisis has had a severe impact on our independent retailers but the resilience they’ve shown throughout the lockdown period has been outstanding. A tremendous amount of work and effort has gone into making stores safe for staff and customers, giving shoppers the confidence to come out and spend. I would encourage everyone to shop local and support our small independent retailers who play such a vital role in our city.”

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey is pictured alongside (left to right) Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI and Richard McLaughlin, Managing Director of Wyse Byse on the Newtownards Road in East BelfastLord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey is pictured alongside (left to right) Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI and Richard McLaughlin, Managing Director of Wyse Byse on the Newtownards Road in East Belfast
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey is pictured alongside (left to right) Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI and Richard McLaughlin, Managing Director of Wyse Byse on the Newtownards Road in East Belfast

Belfast City Council released a video showing the city taking its first steps on the recovery journey, as lockdown restrictions begin to ease.

Alderman McCoubrey added: “We want people to feel confident that when they do decide to come into the city, Council and its city partners have been working hard to keep people safe, and measures are being taken to protect the health of workers and the general public.

“We have seen huge support for our new ‘confidence mark’- a visual reminder for customers that businesses are taking measures to keep people safe and following guidance on social distancing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s encouraging that we’re starting to move in the right direction and we wanted to show the public that Belfast is very much open and ready to welcome people back. But it is one step at a time and we’re reminding people that things will look slightly different, but with patience and positivity, we can take on the challenges that lie ahead, together.”

Lord Mayor or Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey stopped to chat to (left to right) Joan Crawford and Mary Wilson in Wyse Byse on the Newtownards Road during his visit to local retailers in East BelfastLord Mayor or Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey stopped to chat to (left to right) Joan Crawford and Mary Wilson in Wyse Byse on the Newtownards Road during his visit to local retailers in East Belfast
Lord Mayor or Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey stopped to chat to (left to right) Joan Crawford and Mary Wilson in Wyse Byse on the Newtownards Road during his visit to local retailers in East Belfast

Businesses can collect a confidence mark sticker from the Welcome Centre at Visit Belfast.

The Welcome Centre is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am until 5pm.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you