Commenting on the £300m business support package announced by the Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said:
“This package is very welcome, and we look forward to working with the Executive on refining the detail and its speedy implementation to assist businesses that are hardest hit by Covid-19”
“Retail NI had been lobbying Ministers for some time on a High Street voucher scheme based upon the Jersey Government initiative and we are pleased that they listened and acted on our proposals.
“It is vital that this voucher scheme is targeted at independent retailers to ensure the full benefit to the overall economy and is not pocketed by multi-national supermarkets. 70p in every pound spend at independent retailer is recycled around the economy helping local suppliers, producers and farmers”
“We also want the targeted business rate relief to continue through to the next financial year and we hope to discuss this further with the Finance Minister”
“The next few months are about survival of our high streets and for many independent retailers. We need to see these measures brought forward rapidly”
