NI retail spend on Covid measures passes £10 million to keep sector safe and open

By Q Radio News

A new figure from Northern Ireland’s leading Retail bodies says that retailers have now spent over £10 million pounds on Covid safety measures since the start of the pandemic. The figure from the NI Retail Consortium, Retail NI and Belfast Chamber of Commerce is based on what has been spent over the past 6 months to the start of October and includes measures such as hand sanitiser, Perspex screens, signage and social distancing.

Northern Ireland Retail Consortium Director Aodhán Connolly, said:
“This figure represents a significant investment by retailers across Northern Ireland during a particularly hard time for them and it is a testament to their hard work to keep colleagues and shoppers safe and to keep the industry open.

We are now into the golden quarter where retailers make the majority of their sales that keeps them going through the rest of the year. It is essential that retailers can stay open safely and that shoppers support their local retail destinations to protect jobs otherwise our highstreets could look very different in 2021.

We welcome the partnership approach started by Ministers Lyons and Kearney this week and as our investment has shown the retail industry will not be found wanting when it comes to the safety of our staff and customers”

Simon Hamilton, Chief Executive of Belfast Chamber of Commerce, said:
“Our retailers have stepped up and played their part in suppressing the spread of COVID-19 by investing in making their stores safe for staff and customers. Each of us has a responsibility to follow the public health guidance and wash our hands, keep our distance and wear face coverings. Our shops are open, they’re safe and they need your support. Come into our city and town centres, stay safe, follow the guidance and enjoy our excellent retailers”.

Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive Retail NI, said:
“Since the closure of the hospitality sector last Friday, many of our members in high streets across Northern Ireland are reporting a significant loss of trade and footfall. The Executive needs to give more support to these retailers and other impacted businesses otherwise many of them will have to close making this situation a lot worse"

All three organisations have also called for the quick implementation of the High Streets Taskforce which was announced by the NI Executive on 6 August.