The chief executive of Retail NI, Glyn Roberts, expressed his concerns regarding the removal of the first hour of free on-street car parking and the introduction of charges in local town centres and high streets. In a business environment already facing numerous challenges, Roberts believes that these measures would be detrimental to small businesses.
According to Roberts, such actions would primarily benefit out of town supermarkets, which offer free parking and lack traffic enforcement. He warns that these changes would have a devastating impact on the struggling retail sector, town centres, and the local economy.
Roberts asserts that implementing these measures would essentially create a town centre tax, although it may not be referred to as such. He also highlights the discrepancy between business rates discounts in Northern Ireland and England, stating that local independent retailers in Northern Ireland have been denied a 75% discount while paying the highest rates in the UK.
Given these concerns, Roberts urges all party leaders to reject this ill thought-out proposal. The adverse consequences for small businesses, town centres, and the local economy are apparent, and it is crucial to prioritize their interests during these challenging times.
Source: Retail NI
