“Shopping centres the final piece of the retail reopening jigsaw” says Belfast Chamber

Belfast Chamber has welcomed the announcement by the Economy Minister that shopping centres in Northern Ireland can reopen from Friday calling it the final piece in the retail reopening jigsaw.

Commenting, Simon Hamilton, “This is further good news for the local retail sector.  With all non-essential retail permitted to reopen on Friday, shopping centres were the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle. Today’s announcement means that all of retail can now start trading again. 

Belfast Chamber expects a considerable number of stores to open in the city centre on Friday and over the coming days. With the vast majority of businesses closed for nearly 3 months, it is great to see Belfast slowly but surely opening up again. Belfast Chamber has been working in partnership with Belfast City Council and other partners and stakeholders to get the city open for business and in a way that is safe for staff and for customers. Whilst it is clear that footfall is likely to remain down for some net one yet, this is a yet another huge step in the right direction for our members and the city’s economy and is important in restoring some semblance of normality to our society”.