Retailers in parts of the north are continuing to struggle almost five months on from devastating flooding as they await financial aid from Stormont.
Business owners met Northern Ireland Office minister Lord Caine on Wednesday when he visited Downpatrick, one of several towns including Newry and Portadown that saw property damage during flooding caused by heavy rain last November.
Lord Caine had previously arrived in Downpatrick in the aftermath of the town centre flooding, which left some business owners facing repair bills of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Following the flooding, the British government pledged £15m in support, while Stormont offered initial grants of £7,500 for businesses, before a second round of funding saw grants of up to £100,000 made available.
Applications to the increased funding only opened several weeks ago.
Lord Caine said on Wednesday that when the initial support package was offered “there was no Executive in place”.
“Now thankfully the Executive is restored, so it is predominantly a matter for the Executive to take the lead on in conjunction with the local authorities,” he said.
Shoe and sports retailer Paul McCartan, welcomed the ongoing support of the NIO minister, and said he is still waiting for financial support.
“I’m thankful of the support package, though the process has dragged on a bit, but I understand that money is tight elsewhere, with the health service for example,” said the retailer, who owns McCartan Shoes and McCartan Sportswear.
Flood damage caused to the shoe shop has forced him to operate from one outlet.
“We are awaiting conformation of the funding being made available, and knowing that money is there is providing a bit of hope after a very difficult few months.
“Business is down significantly, but I’m very thankful for our loyal customer base, without whom we would have been finished. But the town hasn’t fully recovered as the visitors to the area are the ones who have not returned, and that is what has impacted sales for many businesses.”
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Stormont’s economy minister Conor Murphy said in February he recognised that retailers were “frustrated that the support hasn’t been made available sooner”.
Meanwhile, flood protection refurbishment work on the River Lagan has got underway to protect at-risk areas including parts of south Belfast.
Gates at the Hilden and Lambeg river control structures are being replaced, and infrastructure minister John O’Dowd said: “These structures perform a key role in helping to regulate water levels on the River Lagan. They help to minimise the effects of flooding, particularly at times of heavy rainfall when they provide vital flood protection.”
