Reacting to the Prime Minister’s statement on the energy crisis, Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “The six-month cap on energy costs for businesses is a positive first step in providing support for our members and it is welcome that the Prime Minister has given a commitment that this will equally apply to Northern Ireland.

“However, Government needs to go much further to provide additional support to small businesses struggling with this energy crisis. This should include Business Rates relief, VAT reductions and the reversal of the National Insurance hike.”

Unveiling the two-year Energy Price Guarantee for householders, Liz Truss said this would cap energy bills at £2,500 a year.

She also promised “equivalent support” for six months for businesses, although exact details have yet to be announced.  More support for businesses could be available for vulnerable businesses after that period.

The National President of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed), Jason Birks, said: “Although the devil is in the detail, today’s news of support for businesses should give struggling retailers some comfort and relief.

“Six months is a starting point, but the Fed and its members need longer term assurances that support will be ongoing.

“However, we look forward to hearing more about the financial support that will be available and assisting members in making sure they receive the help and support they need.”

Last week, Mr Birks warned that without financial assistance, the future for independent retailers looked bleak.

“When soaring energy bills are added to falling margins and rising payroll costs, it may only be a matter of time before communities lose access to the groceries and services that local stores provide – but more importantly they will also lose a heart,” he said.

“To survive this crisis, we need more financial support from the government and for the energy price cap to be applied to businesses too, even though this may be too little, too late.”

The Fed is also in regular dialogue with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on issues affecting members, with the most recent meeting taking place this week.

The post Retailers cautiously welcome PM’s energy plans first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

After the devastating fire that ripped through the Bank Buildings earlier this month, there has been worry for the continued growth and footfall of Belfast city centre shopping.

Belfast Chamber of Commerce, Hospitality Ulster and Retail NI jointly met with the head of Civil Service, NI Permanent Secretaries and Belfast City Council yesterday to discuss further Government action to support the City Centre after the Primark Fire.

In a joint statement, Rajesh Rana, president of Belfast Chamber, Glyn Roberts, CEO of Retail NI and Colin Neill, CEO of Hospitality Ulster said:

“We welcome the investment Primark, Belfast City Council and Department for Communities (DFC) have made in the City Recovery Fund and the work that BCC has done to date.

“However, the priority now is to get the cordon reduced to allow pedestrian flow to resume across all the affected streets.”

Many have already raised concerns that the cordon will hinder independent businesses, and could cripple business in the run up to Christmas.

The joint statement continued, “We, and our members who make up the majority of businesses in the retail core and beyond, are extremely frustrated that there is still no firm plan for doing this.

“We have had meetings with the Secretary of State, BCC, MPs and the heads of the Civil Service, all of whom have been helpful, but no concrete plans have been put in place.

“The decision to move this forward lies with Primark and we understand that some form of application is planned for next week.

What needs to be done?

The individual representatives then called for the process of making an application and the decision process to be, “as quick as possible, and for the cordon to be reduced in the very near future.”

“Any delay in reducing the cordon beyond the end of October would be seriously detrimental to the long-term viability of many businesses in city centre as this would seriously impact on the Christmas trading season.”

The overall economic impact is likely to run into hundreds of millions of pounds, and every day there is a delay, it increases further.

They concluded by stating, “We call on Primark and all stakeholders to bear in mind the need to come to the fastest resolution and to work to a date of end of October at the latest.”

This plea is backed by the plethora of businesses that have been affected by the blaze. Without executive decisions being made, the TV, social and radio advertising could be for nothing.

It is yet to be seen what the overall outcome of this will be but unless action is taken, the future looks bleak for city centre shopping.

The post Reclaiming Belfast city centre – A joint statement first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.