Survival instinct – Many local retailers will struggle after December 11 – “Stay Local, Shop Local”

Survival instinct – Many local retailers will struggle after December 11 – “Stay Local, Shop Local”

Stay local, shop local and support your independent retailer – make it a ‘civic duty’ to spend with the independent retailers and save local economies this December. While news that ‘non-essential’ retail can re-open from 11th December, many small retailers will struggle to survive.

Retail NI has welcomed the Executive’s decision to confirm the reopening of non-essential retail on 11th December.  

“It is welcome news that the Executive has confirmed the reopening date of non-essential retail on 11th December. In saying that, these retailers will struggle to make up the losses from the two-week circuit breaker in the last few weeks of Christmas shopping” said Glyn Roberts.

“Retail NI is working with the Executive to ensure that shoppers will have an enjoyable, but above all else, a safe shopping experience from 11th December onwards. We urge shoppers to obey all regulations on face-coverings, social distancing and hand-sanitising”.

Civic duty

“In these vital few weeks of Christmas shopping we urge shoppers to make it their civic duty to support independent retailers as many of them are struggling to survive and desperately need the trade”

Belfast Chamber Chief Executive Simon Hamilton said, “Confirmation that ‘non-essential’ retailers and close contact services, along with most of the hospitality sector, can reopen and start trading again on 11 December is welcome news and will, on the whole, prove positive for jobs and the economy.

Traditional drink only pubs will be understandably disappointed and angry that, once again, they remain unable to reopen. Belfast’s bars are a huge cultural, tourism and community asset and need increased Executive support to survive.

 ‘Hands, face and space’

Protecting lives and livelihoods is vitally important. It is crucial that everyone continues to follow the ‘hands, face, space’ and other guidance in the coming weeks to avoid another damaging lockdown in the early new year”.