Hundreds of small shops and businesses in the north will throw their weight behind Independents' Day this Saturday - the 10th year of a special initiative to show the value of independent shops to the community and to encourage footfall.
Independents Day - which coincidently falls this year on July 4th, which is American Independence Day - is about highlighting and celebrating the huge contribution local retailers make not just to the economy, but to the community and our town centres”
Enterprise Minister Jonathan Bell formally launched this year's campaign on a visit to the offices of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association office in Ballyhackamore.
He met a senior delegation of NIIRTA members before embarking on walkabout to meet members of the Ballyhackamore Traders Association.
NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “This was a very productive first meeting with Minister Bell, discussing the challenges facing the local retail sector and its crucial role in growing our private sector as a whole.
"Retail is our largest sector of industry and is a key partner for economic growth towards a new dynamic private sector led Northern Ireland economy.
“We also impressed on him the importance of ensuring Northern Ireland’s town centres and retail sector are included in future tourism strategy.”
As for Independents' Day, Mr Roberts added: “We want to see shoppers make an extra special effort to shop independently on July 4 and we believe they will be surprised at the high level of choice, quality and customer service our sector offers.”
Mr Bell said: “Small businesses are at the heart of the Northern Ireland economy and it's important we create the conditions that allow them to grow and flourish.
"Recently we have seen many encouraging signs - the private sector is growing, job numbers are increasing and fewer people are out of work.
“There are also continuing positive signals that local households are beginning to spend more, so this year’s Independents' Day campaign is important in the context of encouraging all of us to appreciate and support our local traders."
He added: "Organisations such as NIIRTA are vital in helping to promote small retailers and business, as well as ensuring the local high street remains a vibrant and dynamic place at the centre of the community.”
