Voucher scheme wait

High Street spending cash rollout delayed by latest lockdown measures

A HIGH Street voucher scheme designed to boost demand in the retail sector has been postponed because of the latest lockdown.

The £95million plan – which would give each person in Northern Ireland money to spend in local shops – had been announced late last year but has been delayed until stores, including non-essential retailers, are allowed to open up again.

The announcement was made by the Department for the Economy in a session with the Assembly’s economy committee.

The department’s Sharon Hetherington said the scheme would be delayed until the next “financial year” which begins on April 1.

While delayed, the move will see DFE apply to the Executive for increased funding of around £140million.

The move is expected to help channel funds into local retailers and follows in the footsteps of a similar scheme set up in Jersey last year.

It will come as a welcome suppor t f or shops across Northern Ireland which were dealing with reduced footfall as a result of the Covid pandemic.

The latest restrictions have meant all but essential shops have been forced to close their doors and take advantage of government support initiatives such as the job retention scheme. If the increased funding is passed, it could see each adult in Northern Ireland being given around £100 to spend in local shops.

It follows on from a similar voucher scheme aimed at boosting spending in the tourism sector in Northern Ireland.

Around £2million has been pledged by the Executive to fund vouchers which would give £100 off a night’s hotel accommodation in Northern Ireland and £20 off entry to a visitor attraction. That scheme had been due to roll-out early in 2021 and it is unclear whether it too will be delayed.

It could see each adult given around £100 to spend

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