Business chiefs welcome Alliance leader’s post on reversing off-licence closure order

NORTHERN Ireland’s off-licences are to be removed from the list of shops ordered to close by the NI Executive during the coronavirus crisis, according to Justice Minister Naomi Long.

Off-licences in Scotland, England and Wales remain open, as do off-sales in the Republic.

Supermarkets continue to sell beer, wines and spirits as part of their normal retailing offer.

But in a post on Twitter, the Alliance leader said Northern Ireland off-licences would not be ordered to close their doors.

“Off-licences are not listed as essential: however, they have been removed from the list of premises ordered to close,” she posted.

“It is for individual off-sales to judge and justify remaining open and to provide proper protection for their staff if they do.”

Mrs Long’s comments were welcomed by trade bodies.

Retail NI’S Glyn Roberts said his organisation wanted to see standalone off-licences re-open, and had made representations to the NI Executive on the issue.

“Re-opening off-licences is a common sense move,” he said.

Hospitality Ulster chief Colin Neill said re-opening off-licences would take pressure off supermarkets — and aid social distancing.

“We understand this is a fast-moving situation, and that there are far greater decisions to be taken — but we really want clarity as soon as possible,” he said. “If there is a role we can play in taking pressure off other stores, it’s important we do it.”

However, it emerged yesterday there was still no official list of which businesses here are subject to restrictions.

First Minister Arlene Foster said yesterday the Executive was preparing new regulations for Northern Ireland — and she hoped they would be published at the weekend.