Lord Mayor Urges Support for Evening Economy
Lord Mayor Urges Support for Evening Economy
The Lord Mayor of Belfast today called on city centre retailers to endorse the next stage in the evening economy campaign – 9am to 9pm trading every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Councillor Jim Rodgers was addressing the Belfast Retail Forum and urging them to sign up to the Belfast City Council Moretime campaign.
And with the ‘three night late night opening’ due to swing into action on March 6th – to coincide with the opening of Victoria Square – the Lord Mayor urged businesses throughout the city to embrace the new shopping centre as “an amazing opportunity”.
“This ₤300m development will bring new brands and attract additional footfall and spend,” he said.
“Belfast will be fully in the spotlight and every business, big and small, should embrace new competition as it has the potential to bring new customers into the city centre. This investment is there for the rest of the city centre to take advantage of”.
An Evening Economy Retail steering group has been working hard in recent months to ensure that issues such as car parking, public transport, security and roads service are addressed.
Translink, PSNI, Roads Service, Belfast City Centre Management, Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau and retailers are all represented on the steering group.
“This is a true partnership approach,” Councillor Rodgers added.
“Retail must be dynamic and meet the changing needs of consumers whilst responding to a changing and regenerating city. With 6.8 million people choosing to visit Belfast in 2007 and spending an amazing ₤324m, retail is clearly integral to tourism too.
“I passionately believe in our city and delivering for the good of our people. By committing to late night trading, retailers will be committing to a campaign which is profitable for their business and ultimately good for the future of this city.”
And Andrew Irvine, Belfast City Centre Manager, urged all traders to “step up to the mark”.
“The opening of Victoria Square presents a once in a generation opportunity for Belfast to make a step change in its Evening Economy. People will come from near and far to experience Victoria Square, for those who come in the evening, it is vital that Belfast lives up to its promise and is open for business,” he added.
For more information visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/moretime
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