Concern expressed over Downpatrick empty shops

Concern expressed over Downpatrick empty shops

26 August 2015

A POLITICIAN has expressed concern about the number of empty shops in Downpatrick as a leading spokesman for retailers called on councils to do more to help town centres.

Councillor Dermot Curran said Downpatrick has a problem with empty shops and traffic congestion, neither of which enhance the town centre.

He comments came as the head of Northern Ireland’s independent retailers called on local councils to do more to help beleaguered town centres.

The call by Glyn Roberts, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA), comes after a new survey revealed the number of vacant shops across the Province is causing concern.

Mr Roberts said the figures “make grim reading” and should be a wake up call to both Stormont and the 11 new super councils that a co-ordinated plan is needed to support town and city centres.

“Major changes to planning policy, rates, infrastructure and regeneration are all needed to address this serious situation,” he declared. “A comprehensive shop vacancy strategy should be a top priority of local government.”

Mr Roberts said the new figures shows clearly that Northern Ireland has still some way to go in reaching a sustainable economic recovery.

Mr Curran pinned the cause of Downpatrick’s town centre problems firmly on traffic congestion and said he is looking for the new council to come forward with problems.

“Newry, Mourne and Down Council is now responsible for planning and I hope if proposals come forward to open new businesses in any of our towns they will be looked upon favourably and processed as quickly as possible,” he said.

Councillor Curran said while Newcastle can rely on a large numbers of visitors, the same cannot be said of Downpatrick and Ballynahinch.

“The rates issue is something that does concern traders. I have said before that central government should look at this issue to see if rates can be reduced to provide businesses with a little bit of breathing space, particularly during the current financial climate,” he continued.

“Major sums have been spent regenerating the three main towns in our district which have been transformed over recent years. What we now need is a programme to encourage new investment which will create much-needed jobs, attract increased footfall and reduce the number of empty shops.”

Councillor Curran has welcomed Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s emphasis on capitalising upon the area’s rich tourism offering and hopes this will lead to new job creating opportunities.

He added: “We need to have the building blocks in place to entice potential investors to the district  and provide a much-needed boost for our town centres. They are at the heart of our economy and we must do all we can to ensure their sustainability and future growth. A shop vacancy strategy is something which I believe the new council should explore.”