Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
The two-week period of tougher lockdown measures, which comes into force on 27 November, will also see the hospitality sector only permitted to offer takeaway. Off licences will be allowed to remain open but will have to close at 20:00.
In addition, schools will remain open, but all leisure and entertainment facilities will be closed.
Retail NI chief executive, Glyn Roberts, says the Executive’s decision will “kill small businesses, rather than the virus. Christmas has come early for Amazon.”
Roberts added: “This appalling decision will be a hammer blow to our already struggling high streets and for thousands of independent retailers forced to close at the most important trading time of the year. Tens of thousands of jobs and small businesses are now at risk with this ill-considered move.”
The Executive is expected to announce additional financial support packages for businesses in the next few days.
