NI’s high streets ‘will never be the same again’ - retailers’ message to MLAs

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts told the Communities Committee at Stormont that immediate action is needed from the Executive to support high streets as they struggle to adjust to new coronavirus restrictions.

As infections soar across Northern Irelan from Friday evening, pubs, restaurants and cafes will only be allowed to offer takeaway and delivery services for four weeks. Hair and beauty salons have to shut and gyms face additional measures too.

Mr Roberts told the committee: “The Executive needs to immediately convene the High Streets Taskforce (announced 7th August) and to devolve regeneration powers to local councils to give them greater responsibility to repurpose and reimage our town centres”

“Let’s be clear - we are not facing a high streets crisis any longer- it is a high streets emergency.

“That is the reason Retail NI successfully lobbied the Executive to establish a High Streets Taskforce, to ensure a co-ordinated approach across Government, Councils and business to identify solutions and start the long road to build back better.”

He added: “Part of the solution to this challenge lies in fully developing and implementing the concept of ‘localism’ to repurpose our town and city centres as unique hubs at the hearts of our communities, with, as Mary Portas said in her ground-breaking report, to reimage them as ‘destinations for socialising, culture, health, wellbeing, creativity and learning.’

“The 21st Century high street is about creating a fun and family-friendly experience for consumers and, given that retail and hospitality have a symbiotic relationship, both sectors are absolutely central components for any successful high street or town centre. Our high streets simply cannot function without our hospitality sector.

“Some interesting trends are emerging which show that in our rural towns, people have been supporting local independent retailers in greater numbers and staying local to shop and socialise in a way they didn’t do before the pandemic.

“It will be interesting to see the impact that home and remote working will have on how and where people spend their money, and will the traditional concept of ‘the office’ change forever as a result of Covid-19? Could many of our rural towns and villages make a serious economic comeback?”

Mr Roberts continued: “Retail NI members have always championed localism, priding themselves in supporting local suppliers, producers and manufacturers. 70 pence in every pound spent with an independent retailer is recycled around this supply chain and other local businesses.

“This is why we want to see localism ‘on steroids’ along with the reimaging of our high streets as destinations where residents and visitors can dwell as they work, rest and play as the central policy priorities of the Executive’s recovery plan to drive future post-pandemic prosperity.

“Localism is not just about supporting independent retailers; it is also about empowering people and communities to reshape and repurpose their local villages, towns and cities and above else, reinvigorate the leadership model.

“Our 11 local councils have a key role in the localism agenda and the Executive needs to devolve regeneration and other powers to them so they can play a fuller role in the recovery process.

“We need to move beyond focusing on the economic problems of Covid-19 and start to focus on the solutions and ask ourselves - what does success look like for the post pandemic high street? Undeniably we need to further develop the concept of the experience economy in 21st century towns and cities as we build back better.

“While it will get worse before it gets better for our high streets, the important thing to remember is that it will get better and this is what government and business need to plan for”