Retail chief renews plea for Stormont to set a date for shops to reopen

Speaking ahead of the Executive meeting on Monday, Retail NI called on ministers to set a date for remaining stores to begin trading again after the Irish government’s decision to give a timetable.

Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts said: “With the Irish government setting out a road map for its retail sector to reopen, the Executive must now also set a date, otherwise many local towns and retailers along the border will be at a major competitive disadvantage.

“We need a date and we need it now as retail plays a key role not just on our high streets, but our economy as a whole.”

Mr Roberts added: “Many of our fashion retail members who still have no date to reopen, have advanced risk assessment plans in place that will ensure social distancing and provide a safe environment for shoppers and their staff fully in line with medical advice.

“Retail NI has also written to the Executive to ask ministers to establish a High Street and Retail Advisory Group to ensure the Executive can move forward with the safe reopening of our town and city centres alongside a wider retail reopening plan.

“Moving from two metres to one metre social distancing is crucial for retail and hospitality as they reopen, and we urge the Executive to look at how this can be done in a safe way.”

Meanwhile, representatives of hotels are also calling for faster reopening.

Janice Gault, CEO of Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, said: “They say a week is a long time in politics. If the past week is anything to go by, it’s a very long time indeed as every hour appears to bring new science, increased freedom and the relaxation of lockdown restrictions.

“Having lobbied long and hard for a tourism timeline, Monday June 1 saw a real breakthrough as a lockdown date of July 20 was announced for the accommodation sector. Hotels would be allowed to open with the Northern Ireland Executive keen to explore what additional services could be safely opened to support and enhance the hotel guests experience.”

Ms Gault added: “Ireland is an island. This has served us well in the fight against the virus. Last week, an opening date of July 20 aligned us with the lockdown in the Republic of Ireland. A great step forward!

“However, this all changed as the south announced a revised route to recovery which will see hotels and a significant part of the tourism and hospitality sector reopen on June 29.

“Another interesting week awaits, as we ponder on what is best for Northern Ireland’s economic recovery. We must stay safe but we can’t stand still. Summer is upon us but a big cloud still looms over our future.”