Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
IT’S A SH OP GAP ahead of another lockdown
Mad scramble for festive gifts under way
EAGER Christmas shoppers descended on Northern Ireland’s high streets yesterday in a race against time to buy up gifts before stores shut their doors next week.
Large queues were pictured outside non-essential retail outlets as members of the public try to get their shopping in before the two-week lockdown.
O n T h u r s d ay, the Executive announced stricter restrictions from November 27 to December 11 which would cover all non-essential retail shops in Northern Ireland.
And this prompted thousands to try to get their presents bought with stores set to close on Black Friday.
Dozens of customers were pictured queueing outside Smyths toy store in Drumkeen Retail Park in Belfast.
Retail NI chief Glyn Roberts warned: “We’re going to see scenes like this repeated i n No r t h e r n Ireland throughout the next week. It’s a very big flaw in the plan.
“It h i g h li g h t s a f u n d a ment a l contradiction in this strategy, in that these types of queues will mean our town centres are going to be rammed up until November 27.
“What does that do to the R number? What does that do to transmission? What’s happened now is that Christmas shopping has been compressed into a very small window.”
Mr Roberts praised the efforts of staff from Smyths and other retail outlets and added: “We shouldn’t forget the huge contribution retail staff have made throughout this pandemic. Our thoughts are with them.”
S my th s To y S t o re s a i d i n a statement: “Smyths Toys has safety measures in place to help protect employees and customers. Measures include social distancing markers in-store, a limit on the number of customers allowed in the store at any given time and a socially-distanced queuing system.
“We have good levels of stock with more arriving every week to ensure we meet demand.
“Throughout the lockdown period, Smyths Toys will still be trading with same day click & and collect service where you can pick your order up at the front of the store.”
Meanwhile, a business owner has queried the logic of reopening for one week before having to close for a fresh round of lockdown restrictions.
Darren Gardiner, who owns the Ground Espresso Bars chain, said: “It’s going to drive so many people out into hospitality as opposed to a nice gradual approach that allowed us to service customers’ needs and requirements
between
Christmas.
“We pride ourselves on running a very tight ship, but it’s impossible to plan, particularly for over the Christmas period which is incredibly important for hospitality and you literally don’t know from one week to another what directives are going to come through. now and
During the last lockdo wn, when the stop button was pressed, despite the fact that we gave away a lot of perishable stock to customers, family, friends and charities, we still wa st e d a n e xc e ss of £80,000 of stock that went in the bin.
“We have 25 stores open across Northern Ireland
WAITING GAME Queues form in centre of Belfast
today. Last week we had nine stores open for takeaway only. We are probably looking at a drop in sales in excess of £5million so far this year.”
David Gough, owner of the Newton Brunch Bar in East Belfast, urged Stormont to act now on financial aid.
He said: “If it wasn’t for the first grant that we got in the first lockdown we wouldn’t have survived.
“They have now put us on another lockdown, but we haven’t received a penny of the financial aid promised so you’re staring at an empty jar and wondering what now.”
Hotelier Bill Wolsey slammed those in charge of the region as “numbskulls who can’t even produce a coherent policy to fight a common enemy”.
The founder of the Beannchor group described the situation as “hopeless”.
Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Takeaway Association has warned up to 2,000 jobs are at risk in the sector.
Director Michael Henderson said that without immediate financial aid up to 25% of such businesses will close.
He added restrictions, which include no deliveries after 11pm, have had a devastating effect.
Mr Henderson said: “We believe our sector has been forgotten and left hung out to dry by our Executive.”
We’re going to see scenes like this repeated GLYN ROBERTS YESTERDAY