Businesses hit by blaze eligible for up to £19k each

BUSINESSES worst affected by the Primark fire will be able to apply for financial help worth up to £19,000, Belfast City Council has said.

Fewer than 14 small city centre firms unable to reopen within an exclusion zone established for safety reasons will be eligible for the maximum amount of help.

Around 90 businesses in the area are in line for varying amounts of funding to help them get back on their feet.

The money is coming from a £500,000 donation from Primark, which is being divided up by the council. The fund will be open for a six-week period until Monday, November 19.

In August the historic building housing the clothing firm was destroyed by a blaze that burned for days.

Nearby businesses have been badly disrupted and their owners expressed concern about the impact on Christmas trade as engineering work continued.

The Primark money was given on the understanding that it would provide direct support to affected small businesses and the resources would be focused on local traders.

Those eligible will be independent retailers and single location franchises with fewer than 50 employees, charities and offices displaced by the fire.

Multinational chain stores affected, such as Tesco and Zara, are not eligible for the money.

Belfast City Council said it hopes the main road through the city centre, between Donegall Place and Royal Avenue, can reopen to pedestrians before Christmas.