Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
£500,000 THANK YOUS TO PRIMARK
Retailer donation helps firms hit by fire
PRIMARK is set to donate £500,000 to businesses affected by the devastating blaze that destroyed its store.
Last month the Bank Buildings, which was home to the retail giant, was gutted in a huge fire which also led to the closure of 14 other firms.
A cordon in place around the historic structure has had a detrimental impact on trade.
The retailer made the donation to Belfast City Council’s recovery programme as a “gesture of goodwill”.
A Primark spokesman said: “We have been focused on the welfare of our colleagues, while also working with the authorities regarding our ongoing commitment to businesses and the wider community in Belfast.
“It is our intention to be back up and trading again as soon as possible. We are at the early stages on this and will confirm details as soon as possible. We hope this will assist the efforts to drive footfall into the city centre.
“As well as re-establishing a high street presence in the city, Primark is committed to supporting the business community affected by the fire.
“Primark will be donating £500,000 to Belfast City Council’s recovery programme as a gesture of goodwill.
“The Council will manage the distribution of the recovery fund to those local businesses impacted by the fire.
“As we progress our plans, we will continue to work with the authorities in Belfast. We would like to thank people once again for their support.”
A Belfast City Council spokesman said it was a “very welcome announcement” which will be considered by members of its Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on Friday. He added: “Primark is very keen to support small businesses in the city centre – in particular those that have been severely impacted by the fire.
“The company has asked council to distribute this funding on its behalf. “The council is developing a city recovery
investment programme which includes immediate, medium and longer term proposals to support businesses, re-establish and sustain high levels of trading the city centre in the lead up to Christmas.
“The contribution made by Primark will be an important part of that.
“Council and its city partners will continue their engagement with traders and landlords. .”
Belfast Democratic Unionist MPS, Nigel Dodds, Emma Little Pengelly and Gavin Robinson, welcomed the donation by Primark.
They said: “Everyone is aware of the disruption that has been caused to Belfast city centre as a result of the cordon in place around Bank Buildings.
“It is important efforts continue to reduce that as quickly as possible and allow business to return to as much normality as possible.”