Five year moratorium on new out-of-town superstores needed in post-pandemic recovery, say Retail NI

There should be a “moratorium” on all new out-of-town retail superstores in order to support smaller retailers during the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, Retail NI has said.
By Niall Deeney
Published 17th Feb 2021, 20:24 BST
Updated 17th Feb 2021, 20:28 BST
Deserted Belfast high street during lockdown in January 2021. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEyeDeserted Belfast high street during lockdown in January 2021. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Deserted Belfast high street during lockdown in January 2021. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

The organisation’s chief executive Glyn Roberts set out the proposal to the Assembly’s infrastructure committee on Wednesday.

“The Department for Infrastructure has a key role to play in supporting post-pandemic high street recovery and ensuring our towns and city centres are greener, healthier and more inclusive places,” he said in a statement following his appearance at the committee.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Public transport needs to be shoppers’ first choice, rather than their last, alongside more options for walking, cycling and accessible and affordable car parking in our town centres.”

He added: “In order to give our town centres space to recover and regenerate, Retail NI wants Northern Ireland to follow Scotland’s lead and introduce a five-year moratorium on any more out-of-town superstores.”

Mr Roberts also hit out at Antrim and Newtownabbey council this week after approval was granted for a new out-of-town £17.5 million Asda supermarket in Newtownabbey.

The council’s planning committee gave the proposal, which has been in the pipeline since 2018, the go-ahead on Monday,

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Retail NI chief described it as “a kick in the teeth for local independent retailers struggling with the pandemic and is a clear breach of the town centre first retail planning policy”.

Yesterday, Mr Roberts said: “The appalling decision this week by Antrim and Newtownabbey Council to grant permission for a major superstore, despite the breach in town centre first planning and the damage it will do to local jobs, has reinforced the need for this moratorium.”

He added: “Retail NI also supports the call for establishing an Infrastructure Commission, devolving on-street carparking to councils, a 60-minute rail service between Belfast and Dublin and a recommitment to the York Street Interchange and other flagship projects.”

He also called for a “Rural Town Infrastructure Investment Fund” to support the revitalisation of villages and towns in the recovery.

Related topics:AntrimNewtownabbeyScotlandASDANorthern Ireland