Stormont Visit

Representatives from the Carrickfergus Chamber of Commerce and Trade were invited to Stormont last week to help launch The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association's (NIIRTA) vision for the future of economic policy as the organisation marked its tenth anniversary.

The Carrickfergus Chamber of Commerce's Business Development Manager Janis Smyth and Robin Stewart, owner of Robinsons Shoemakers (located in Market Place), attended a reception in Stormont's Long Gallery which was addressed by Finance Minister Sammy Wilson to launch the document.

The document was presented by NIITRA's chief executive Glyn Roberts and one of the recommendations included in the manifesto was a call for the number of government departments to be culled from 12 to seven.

While devolution had benefited the economy, Mr Roberts said Northern Ireland's system of government was "cumbersome" with a large number of departments having overlapping responsibilities for the economy.

"Now is the time to review and redesign the apparatus of government so that it is more nimble and more able to react quickly to the requirements which our society faces in rapidly changing times."

Mr Roberts also urged the Department of Finance and Personal to ensure that a "level playing field" for independent retailers was created through additional rates being levied on out-of town shopping centers.

"As out-of-town supermarkets enjoy a significant competitive advantage over town centre-based retailers, the Department of Finance and Personnel should levy a substantial additional rates surcharge on those stores. These additional rates should be ring-fenced for funding town centre regeneration projects."

NIIRTA, which has 1,200 members with an annual turnover of £3bn, said government should make the independent retail sector a priority.

Janis Smyth from Carrickfergus Chamber of Commerce and Trade said: "The chamber prides itself in supporting local business in the Carrickfergus area and that is why it is important that we represent our members at such an important event as at Stormont. We hope that the NIIRTA recommendations will be considered seriously by the Department of Finance and Personal and acted upon for the benefit of our members as well as the wider local retail sector."

Robin Stewart of Robinsons Shoemakers and head of the Carrickfergus Chamber of Commerce and Trade retail sector said: "Independent retailers need to have their voices heard. We need the right environment to flourish and as one of the mainstays of the Northern Ireland economy, our governmental policy makers need to listen to our concerns and put in place legislation to protect our livelihoods on which many regional communities depend."

Sammy Wilson said: "The importance of the wholesale and retail sector in Northern Ireland cannot be underestimated, as it contributes almost 13% of Northern Ireland's output and almost 15% of all local employee jobs. The independent retail sector brings real variety and richness to the local shopping experience. That is its real value to the local economy."

He said a provision in the recent independent review of economic policy calling for Invest NI to help more businesses, would benefit companies in independent retail.