AT a meeting with the First and Deputy First Ministers on Friday, Retail NI outlined a five-point plan to support the retail sector and begin the long road towards recovery.
We absolutely understand the priority of complying with the regulations, reducing the transmission of the virus and the roll out of the vaccination program. But we have produced a guide for safe and responsible shopping and ensured each one of our members has clear guidance on what action to take if a staff member tests positive in their store.
We are totally committed to supporting all efforts by the Executive to combat the pandemic and ensure vital food and other products can be safely sold within the communities that our members proudly serve. But there are other measures the Executive could implement to further support struggling independent retailers.
The key points of Retail NI's five-point plan are:
1 Vaccination for front line essential retail workers at appropriate point;
2 Financial support scheme for independent food retailers who have lost trade;
3 Rates holiday for further six months from April for struggling small traders;
4 Restoration of click and collect on an appointment basis; and
5 Immediate establishment by the Executive of the High Streets Taskforce
We want to see a level playing field on the pandemic regulations for all retailers currently trading. It's blatantly unfair that local independent retailers who sell books, toys, clothes and homeware are unable to open nor operate a click and collect service while large supermarkets can remain open, sell these products and continue to make substantial profits.
The Executive needs to give these local independent retailers a lifeline by immediately permitting them to operate a click and collect service on a strict appointment only basis, which would be subject to a vigorous inspection regime.
Essential independent food retailers, who have lost trade and footfall, also need to be included in the Executive’s Covid-19 Financial Support Scheme. Many of these businesses are trying to trade in town and city centres which are virtual ghost towns, with most of their neighbouring businesses closed. With offices, non-essential retail and hospitality closed, custom for these businesses has decreased dramatically and will mean they have no choice but to close, further adding to the challenges of the high street.
We absolutely understand there are groups of people such as the elderly, those with underlying health conditions and emergency services who need to be vaccinated first.
But given that retail workers are on the shop floor, interacting with the public and are vital to ensuring the supply of food, they should be factored into the local vaccination program.
While our members are ensuring that safety measures are in place for their staff and shoppers, a retail worker vaccination programme will be essential to provide further protection and reduce transmission of the virus.
It is also vital that the Executive immediately convenes the High Streets Taskforce to begin the work to produce a roadmap for recovery as the vaccination process accelerates and allows the economy to safely reopen. A further six months of rate relief from April is also essential to support the recovery and reconstruction of our high streets.
We still have tough times ahead with this pandemic and it is likely to get worse before it will get better. But with the vaccine being rolled out, it will get better, and that’s what we need to focus on.
:: Glyn Roberts is chief executive of Retail NI
