FRUSTRATED retail chiefs as well as key players in the north's hospitality industry have urged the Executive to create an immediate re-opening plan for shops and pubs, claiming the lack of a timetable in Stormont's five-stage blueprint for easing lockdown has caused anger across the business community.
Two organisations, Retail NI and the NI Retail Consortium - which between them represent everything from the corner shop to the biggest multinational supermarket - are demanding that a target of early June is set for the reopening of retail sector in line with the plan announced for England by Boris Johnston.
And separately, Belfast-based pubs business Clover Group, which operates six bars throughout the city centre, has developed innovative plans to re-open specific outlets on a phased basis, which is seasonal centric, and wants the authorities to give it serious consideration - but soon.
It comes as dozens of manufacturing and engineering businesses confirm that they have either re-opened or are planning a resumption of work patterns from next week.
They include materials handling giant Terex, which says it will resume production at a reduced capacity at its Omagh, Dungannon, Campsie and Ballymoney sites from Monday May 18 in response to customer demand and need, having implemented comprehensive safety measures in line with government guidance and its own best practice.
Yesterday, retail heads Glyn Roberts and Aodhan Connolly confirmed they have written a joint letter calling on the Executive to create a re-opening plan for towns and city centres that outlines what health and safety guidance retailers should follow in order to get back to business.
They insist further support measures are needed for retailers including extending the small business grant scheme to multi-site retailers, and they also reiterated their plea for rates relief to be extended from three months in Northern Ireland to 12 months as it is in Britain.
“Retail will play a key role in the economic recovery of Northern Ireland and will provide employment and investment in the challenging times ahead,” their letter points out.
“Right now we need to learn lessons from these past few months and make sure our high streets can not only recuperate but are ready for the challenges of the 21st century.”
Meanwhile Clover Group, run by publicans Mark Beirne, Jim Conlon, Paul Langsford and Andrew Maxwell and which employs 180 people, said its plans for a phased approach to open specific venues is based on seasonal factors, with the need to plan for staff levels, training, supply chains and cost management.
Mark Beirne said: “We accept the need for public health to be top of its agenda, and our approach to re-opening will strictly adhere to social distancing guidance.
“Customers will want and expect a new and different experience as society adapts to changes after Covid. We have developed plans that deliver this in a way that is experiential for customers, innovatively looking at how we can use our internal and external space.
“But it's vital we have a gauge of timelines, when possible, to prepare and train our staff, ensure we can deliver on the required logistics, and have our supply chains and funding in place.All of this is dependent on the seasonal time of year that the sector is in a position to re-open.”
