The Primark fire has brought into "sharp focus" the work that needs to be done to "rejuvenate Belfast city centre", a business leader has said.
Aodhan Connolly, Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said the picture in Belfast, 12 months on from the blaze is "brighter" however traders still needed "backing".
Mr Connolly described the fire as "biggest threat to retail in the city centre in a generation".
"Primark, the city council, the local BIDs (Business Improvement Districts) and Stormont all stepped up to the mark to ensure that the city bounced back," he said.
Read More: Business owners speak about struggle to survive after Primark fire
"On balance there was a robust response to the immediate problem and things are a lot better than they could have been.
"That is little comfort to those traders who came close to folding or did but the traders in the city centre especially deserve praise for their resilience."
Mr Connolly said traders still need "our backing".
"While things move on at pace, there is still a building site in the city centre and traders, while more hopeful, still need our support as they seek to recover from the financial impact of what for many was their toughest trading year ever," he said.
"The fire has also brought sharp focus the work that needs to be done to rejuvenate our city centre.
"There needs to be an eclectic mix of retail, hospitality, leisure and even living over the shops to build footfall and communities in the city centre. These are conversations that need to be had now to have a healthier 21st Century city centre rise from these ashes".
Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI, said the past year had been a "huge challenge" for Belfast city centre.
"We are making solid progress in restoring that part of the city centre, but we must go further and faster," he said.
Mr Roberts said while the fire was a "terrible tragedy" it had "turbo charged" a debate about the future shape of Belfast city centre.
“Looking to the future it has to be more inclusive, accessible and more family-friendly for shoppers and tourists".
However, Belfast Chamber of Commerce said Belfast is "bouncing back" one year on from the Primark fire.
Rajesh Rana, President of Belfast Chamber, said the fire had had a "galvanising" effect, which prompted a co-ordinated action plan for city recovery".
"The effect of the fire has been to increase coordination across the individuals and agencies working in central Belfast and that relationship is continuing to strengthen," he said.
"The fire certainly did have a negative effect but the good news in the city is bouncing back. A number of new retailers have opened in the city centre since the fire, and more are on their way.
"An exciting programme of events is planned for autumn and the festive period, which will continue to draw people into our capital city".
