Retail group ‘profoundly disappointed’ as Northern Ireland heads for another lockdown

Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts said: “It is profoundly disappointing that the executive has had to take this course of action because of the non-compliance of individuals and households with the Covid-19 regulations.

“This non-compliance has not only driven up transmission of the virus but has now effectively shut down our economy.

“Make no mistake, this third lockdown will result in a tsunami of independent retailers falling and thousands more jobs being lost with permanent damage done to our local high streets.

“Independent retailers selling clothes, books and toys will be forced to close their doors without even a click and collect option while large supermarkets will remain open selling those same products.

“Where is the fairness in this?

“It is also extremely concerning that many businesses are still awaiting financial support payments from the last lockdown.

“The executive must work night and day to ensure that payments are made without delay to impacted independent retailers and small businesses.”

The new restrictions will begin on 26 December with non-essential shops closing after Christmas Eve.

The decision was announced by deputy first minister, Michelle O’Neill, who said ministers will review the measures after four weeks.

Close-contact services, such as hair salons, will have to shut and pubs, cafes and restaurants will be restricted to takeaway services.

During the first week of the lockdown until 2 January, essential shops that are allowed to stay open will have to close each day by 20:00 and off-licences will have to close at the same time.

O’Neill said she recognised the lockdown would be “disappointing” for many people but that it was clear a “longer and deeper intervention” was necessary.

“The health service would be completely crushed in January if we didn’t intervene now, so while this is draconian, it’s about saving lives. We’ve never been in such a bad position as we are now, and will be in January if this didn’t happen now.”

The new rules will include the closure of all non-essential retail outlets, including garden centres and homeware shops, that were previously deemed essential.

Click-and-collect services will not be permitted. Hospitality businesses will only be allowed to offer takeaway and delivery and the leisure and entertainment sector will have to close.

No sporting events will be permitted at all – even at an elite level – with people being urged only to leave their home for essential reasons.

The Northern Ireland president of the Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN) says the latest Covid lockdown announced by Stormont is disappointing but necessary if the spread of the virus is to be halted.

Judith Mercer, who owns Hamilton News in Cregagh Road, Belfast, said: “It’s going to be crippling for the economy, but at the same time we need measures put in place to stop the spread of this virus.

“We need people to understand that they must wear a mask when they are shopping in local stores, to protect themselves and shop staff. The local newsagent’s or convenience store seems to be a place where some people think they can just nip in and out, so they don’t need to wear a mask, which is very unfair on the staff.

“We all want to get back to normality as soon as possible, so if it takes a lockdown to help that then that’s what we have to have and everybody needs to stick to the rules.”