FEARS FOR CITY STORES AFTER PRIMARK FIRE
CORDON TO REMAIN AROUND BANK BUILDINGS FOR NEXT FOUR MONTHS
CLAIRE McNEILLY: THE PROSPECT OF RETAIL RUIN FOR BELFAST IS VERY REAL
AODHAN CONNOLLY: RETAILERS REALLY NEED SUPPORT OF SHOPPERS
BUSINESSES in Belfast have told how they are bracing themselves for difficulty and fear for survival — after news that the safety cordon at Primark in Belfast will remain in place for a minimum of four months.
The devastating news means that 14 outlets, including major high-street brands, restaurants and an independent arts and craft shop, will be closed over the busy Christmas period.
Yesterday, Secretary of State Karen Bradley said she will do “everything she can” to help retailers affected by the Primark fire.
Traders met with Belfast City Council yesterday afternoon to discuss alternative options for relocating their businesses, as they struggle in the aftermath of the blaze.
Affected retailers were assured that “any opportunity to shrink this timeline will be taken”.
High street retailer, Zara, which is housed in the Anderson and McAuley building beside the scorched Bank Buildings, will continue to pay its staff for as long as the cordon remains in place.
Workers from Tesco Metro, on the other side of Bank Buildings, have been relocated to nearby stores, but home-grown traders, like eatery City Picnic, are much more concerned by the news.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that management could struggle to pay staff due to no income since last Tuesday.
The restaurant’s owner, Arthur McAnerney, met with Belfast City Council again to discuss what steps he should now take.
“They’re going to help, but we haven’t had anything material as of yet,” he said. “This four-month closure means that we’re going to have to make some big decisions on the future of the business and we’re going to have to start thinking about how we can keep everything that we’ve built over eight years together.
“For us, it now seems like a logical thing to do would be to relocate. We’re in a very difficult situation and we need money.”
Phone Boutique on Royal Avenue has suffered a dramatic drop in footfall since the cordon was put in place. Although only closed for two days after the fire, one of its workers said the business is finding it hard to cope.
“This news isn’t just bad for them (cordoned off businesses), it’s bad for us,” they said.
“We’re affected by this. We nearly have no business and are really dead. People think that we’re not open or that we’re maybe too far away. For people to come to our store, they need to pass by shops which are similar to ours, so the competition is non-existent at this point because everyone goes to the other stores.”
Asked what the four-month minimum closure could mean for the business, he added: “I don’t know if we can even survive for that long.” Mrs Bradley said the UK’s Heritage Minister had texted her over his concern about the building as the fire blazed.
“I am concerned now about the people employed there and for the businesses around there. I saw it myself at the weekend and it’s a horrible site to see, a beautiful historic building looking like that,” the NI Secretary said.
“I will be doing everything I can to make sure those businesses (around Primark) can survive. We want to make sure we can support all those businesses.”
In a statement, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Deirdre Hargey, said that “a range of measures” will be implemented to help affected businesses.
“While it is imperative that the safety cordon remains, we recognise it is having a serious impact — not just on the traders within the cordon, but for those in the immediate area who are suffering due to a reduction in footfall.
“In the coming days and weeks, we will be implementing a range of measures to help businesses who are struggling in the current situation. Alongside the group meetings, the council has continued to hold one-to-one meetings with businesses affected to understand all of the individual issues.”
The council said that engineers will be assessing the burnt site over the coming days, as hopes to save the building’s façade continue.
Retail giant, Henderson Group, which owns Spar, said it is waiting for these assessments to be carried out before developing the next course of action.
A Spar store sits on one corner of the four-way junction on Royal Avenue. A spokesperson said: “We respect the need for the safety cordon and we will continue to work with the staff and management of Spar Royal Avenue to ensure they are supported during this uncertain time.
“Once next steps are verified, we will continue to work with the store to establish the best course of action for the outlet and all team members.”
Councillor Hargey added that the council will be with retailers “every step of the way”.
“We will be doing everything
we can to restore the city to the very vibrant place that it is, and, it is vital that as a city, we continue to rally round to support those affected by this event, both directly and indirectly.”
Chief executive of Retail NI, Glyn Roberts, said he was “desperately worried”.
“We need to look at what help can be given to businesses inside the cordon and outside the cordon,” he said. “I think both ourselves and Hospitality Ulster will want to talk to Belfast Chamber about how we can put a campaign together to get people back in the city centre — particularly in the run-up to Christmas.
“It has implications for the entire city centre, not just the immediate area.
“We will be raising this issue directly with the Secretary of State and we need actions.”
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said the cause of the fire that ripped through the historic building is yet to be determined.
Primark confirmed on Tuesday that staff would be paid their wages this week and next.