Retail NI launches Independents’ Day 2020 - Vote Independent!

The campaign will again include an online vote to find the people’s favourite independent retailer, local high street, independent retail employee and to recognise a retailer who has gone the extra mile for their customers during Covid-19. Camelot is the keynote supporter of Independents’ Day. The online public vote will open on Independents’ Day, today (July 4) and will continue until July 31.

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “There has never been a more important time to celebrate and acknowledge local independent retailers as we work through the Covid-19 crisis. Many Retail NI members made a huge effort to ensure communities had food and other vital products available to them at the height of the pandemic.

“As we now start along the long road of recovery, now more than ever, we need consumers to support independent retailers to boost our high streets and the rebuilding of our local economy. July will now be Independents’ Month and we will be using this month as the biggest ever showcase of our amazing world class local independent retailers and the huge contribution they make to our local communities, high streets, and local suppliers. This July we want shoppers to vote independent!”

Diane Dodds MLA, Minister for the Economy explained: “From the very early days of this pandemic, retail workers have been at the frontline delivering an essential service to the people of Northern Ireland. Many shops remained open during lockdown and quickly adapted their premises to ensure the safety of their customers and staff. I know how hard everyone in the retail trade has been working. The Independents’ Day awards provide the opportunity for us all to say thank you and I would encourage people to vote for their favorite retail outlet.”

Camelot’s Retail Director, Jenny Blogg, added: “As we come through the COVID-19 crisis, it has never been more important to recognise and celebrate local independent retailers – many of whom have been instrumental in helping communities get through the pandemic.

“For that reason, we are delighted to be able to get involved in Independents’ Day 2020 to help highlight some of the fantastic independent retailers who continue to serve communities across Northern Ireland - day in, day out.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Retail NI members for the continued support they have shown to Camelot, The National Lottery and the Good Causes it supports - particularly over the last few months. Good Cause funding has never been more crucial than it is now, as The National Lottery helps the UK respond to, and recover from, the COVID-19 crisis. In total, up to £600 million in National Lottery funding is being directed towards charities and organisations across Northern Ireland and the UK to help tackle the impact of the pandemic.”

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.

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

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