Members of Belfast Chamber recently met with the Finance Minister to discuss the proposed reforms to the business rating system.

Speaking following the meeting, John O’Dowd said he welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Belfast Chamber and discuss his recently launched consultation on the Business Growth Accelerator and Non-Domestic Vacant Rating and a number of business-related issues.

“I am acutely aware that businesses across our towns, cities and high streets continue to face a challenging operating environment but despite those challenges, businesses here continue to innovate and break new ground, underpinning local employment, local communities and our wider economy,” he said.

“My objective has always been a rating system that is fair, one that supports public services but also recognises the importance of business growth, investment and regeneration. That is why I launched a consultation on two important and related proposals: the introduction of a Business Growth Accelerator and changes to Non-Domestic Vacant Rating.

“The proposed Business Growth Accelerator would provide temporary, targeted relief for businesses making qualifying improvements to their properties, while the suggested changes to Non-Domestic Vacant Rating would aim to encourage the productive use of vacant premises, reduce long-term vacancies, support high streets and town centres, and better align the tax system with wider economic and regeneration objectives.

“I would urge all businesses and organisations to respond to the consultation and share their views, helping to support growth while maintaining fairness within the rating system.”

You can submit your views on the consultation at: www.finance-ni.gov.uk/consultations/business-growth-accelerator-and-non-domestic-vacant-rating-ndvr-consultation. The consultation will close on 23^rd September 2026.

The post Businesses urged to have their say on changes to business rating system first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

A survey of 406 firms by Belfast Chamber found 71% are pessimistic about the city’s short-term prospects.

It’s the latest survey carried out by the business body in conjunction with Belfast City Council.

Belfast Chamber chief executive Simon Hamilton said it paints “a pretty bleak picture” for business conditions in the city.

“Whilst trading and profitability have both been strong over the past six months, there has been a stark drop in confidence for the time ahead,” he said.

The survey found that firms are less pessimistic when asked about the prospects of their own business or sector.

Just 44% believe their own business will get worse in the coming next months, with 35% predicting similar trading conditions, while 20% expect an improved picture.

But pessimism surged when asked about the city’s prospects as a whole.

“With 99% of businesses seeing fuel and electricity costs rising and other costs also on the rise, coupled with a considerable number of issues around recruiting staff reflected in the survey results, it is easy to see why optimism amongst Belfast businesses has declined,” said Mr Hamilton.

Elsewhere, the new survey showed the very mixed experience of businesses under Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

One-in-three felt their business has been negatively disrupted by Brexit, while 30% said it had no impact.

Of the 106 Belfast businesses trading in the Republic, 36% reported increased profitability in the past six months and 42% of the 41 firms trading with the rest of the EU also reported higher half year profits.

Simon Hamilton said businesses in Belfast have continued to exhibit an ability to weather whatever storm they may face.

“Although it seems that the impact of the pandemic has receded, it has been replaced by a whole host of new challenges,” he said.

“I am always impressed by the business community’s capacity to adapt and innovate but it is clear that on top of every ounce of resilience they possess, many will need urgent help from both government and a restored executive.”

The post Majority of Belfast businesses worried about economic outlook first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

On a visit to Belfast’s Ormeau Road – which was recently announced as Retail NI’s High Street of the Year – the Minister announced that the online portal which will enable anyone aged over 18 and over to apply for the £100 Spend Local pre-paid cards – will be open from 27th September until 25th October.

He also announced a number of other key dates. They are:

• Week commencing 4th October – First tranche of cards will issue to those who have successfully applied for the Spend Local pre-paid card.
• 11th October – Telephone service will open to support applications from people not able to access or use the online portal.
• 25th October – High Street Scheme online portal and telephone services will close.
• 25th October – the last qualifying date for those turning 18 to be eligible to apply for a Spend Local card.
• 30th November – High Street Scheme closes and the Spend Local pre-paid cards will cease to be valid.

The Minister said: “Now is the time to get ready to Spend Local. I am delighted to announce that the online portal will open to receive applications in just under two weeks with the first tranche of Spend Local pre-paid cards to issue the week beginning 4th of October.

Boost local businesses

“The objective of the £145million High Street Scheme is to boost local businesses following the drop in footfall brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. By giving everyone aged 18 and over in Northern Ireland a pre-paid card worth £100 to spend in local high businesses, we will encourage many more customers back through the doors of local retail, hospitality and services.

“I would encourage everyone who is over 18 by 25th October this year, to apply for their card between 27th September and October 25th. We expect demand to be high so please be patient if the online portal is busy just after it opens. It is important to remember that everyone will have at least four weeks to spend their card.

“By applying, receiving and ultimately spending your Spend Local card in local businesses such as shops, hospitality and other services before November 30, you will be doing your bit to support your local businesses.”

The Minister was joined by Chris O’Reilly, Chair of Ormeau Business Association, Simon Hamilton of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce, Glyn Roberts of Retail NI and local traders.

Welcoming the scheme, Mr O’Reilly said: “We would like to welcome the Minister to the Ormeau Road – the High Street of the Year. Like many other local high streets across our towns and cities, the Ormeau Road is home to a diverse range of shops, restaurants and pubs which have felt the impact of the pandemic through a reduced number of customers coming through our doors. The High Street Scheme will deliver just the boost we need right now. I am sure I speak for many traders across Northern Ireland when I say we are looking forward to seeing customers using their Spend Local cards.”

Belfast Chamber

Mr Hamilton said: “Belfast Chamber is delighted to support the launch of the Department for the Economy’s Spend Local card. It has been an immensely challenging period for retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses and this £100 Spend Local card will give people the opportunity to actively help those businesses. It is also a great way to support everyone who works in our local shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and other services. This scheme will provide a much needed and very timely boost to those hard-hit sectors and make a massive difference to businesses as we emerge from the pandemic and edge towards recovery.”

Mr Roberts said: “Retail NI has been a strong advocate for the High Street Scheme as a stimulant to support economic recovery. This £100 pre-paid Spend Local Card will be a much needed welcome spending boost for many retailers and our High Streets as whole. Our sector has suffered significantly during the pandemic and the High Street Scheme has come at the right time. I encourage consumers to spend this card with local retailers to boost our economy.”

From 27th of September to 25th of October applicants will be asked to apply through NI Direct.  For verification purposes in order to reduce the risk of fraud and error, each applicant will be asked to provide:

• name;
• address;
• age;
• gender;
• disability status;
• national insurance number;
• email address; and
• telephone number.

Applicants will also have the option of including a driving licence number to enable verification. Once the applicant has completed the registration process their information will be checked against a number of government databases to verify their identity.

The portal is expected to be extremely busy in the days after it opens. Applicants are reminded that the online portal will be open for four weeks and everyone will have a minimum of four weeks to spend their card.

Applicants should receive their Spend Local card within 7-10 days of making their application. When an applicant receives their card, they will need to verify the card through a computer-operated phone system or text message and make the first payment using a pin, before they can start to use it for contactless payments.

The cards can be used in all participating businesses in Northern Ireland. They cannot be used online or for gambling or some financial and legal services.

The telephone support service will open on 11th October. The later opening of the telephone service has been implemented to encourage more people to apply online when the portal opens on 27th September and avoid using the phone line leaving it available for those who do not have access to, or are not able to use, the internet.

A public information campaign across television, radio, press and social media will begin on 16th September to keep applicants up-to-date with the scheme.

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons with Milana Surova of Memento florists on the Ormeau Road, Belfast.
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/spend-local-card
The High Street Scheme Spend Local pre-paid card will be able to be accepted by shops and businesses which can accept credit and debit cards for payment. It cannot be used to purchase goods or services online.

The post Lyons says applications for Spend Local pre-paid card opens 27th September first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

The post Only 12% of office workers have returned to Belfast city centre – Belfast Chamber survey first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Derry/Londonderry, Newtownards and Craigavon stores will also close.

The ‘changing dynamics’ of the high street has forced the hand of the company, which willnow focus its business online.

Retail director Adam Goddard laid the blame at the ongoing impact of coronavirus – with lockdown restrictions across its key sales periods – Christmas an dEaster.

“Unfortunately like many other retailers, the obstacles we have faced and will continue to face on the high street are too severe,” he said.

He said the company remains committed to the iconic Thorntons brand – but with losses of £35 million last year – taking total losses to over £100 million since being bought by Italian giant Ferrero in 2015.

Belfast Chamber’s Simon Hamilton said the loss was ‘a really sad story. Retail NI said it was a ‘sad loss to the Northern Ireland high street.

“Any town centre business that closes always results in a loss of footfall for surrounding traders.” said Glyn Roberts.

The post Sad news from Thorntons – 61 stores to close, 600 jobs at risk first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.