Retail NI has launched its biggest ever recruitment campaign for new members with the help of Exterion Media and the new Pulse Smart Hubs in Belfast City Centre. Its digital recruitment campaign goes live today.
Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said:
“Since its rebrand two years ago, Retail NI has enjoyed steady growth in its membership with new retailers and suppliers to our sector joining.”
“We now represent over 1800 wholesalers, retailers and suppliers.”
Commenting on the reduction of the Primark Cordon this morning, which allows pedestrians to walk between Castle Street and Fountain Street, RetailNI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said:
“This is welcome news for Castle street traders and for shoppers visiting that part of Belfast City Centre. While this is progress, there is still a lot of work ahead and it is unfortunate that a number of traders still remain unable to open due to the cordon”
A Retail NI delegation met with the PSNI at Musgrave Street Station this morning to discuss the ongoing problem of ATM robberies on local retailers.
Speaking after the meeting Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said:
“This was a very useful meeting with the PSNI and we urged them to ensure that resources are put into tackling this problem. These robberies have cost our members hundreds of thousands of pounds and the criminal gangs behind them belong behind bars for a very long time”
Retail NI has responded to the publication of a new consultation from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, calling on them to ensure that a manually administered deposit return scheme does not form part of its plan to encourage people to recycle more.
Ulster Bank has announced details of a new series of events to address many of the challenges facing the high street.
Surviving the high street is a series of regional Ulster Bank Boost events providing opportunity for local business owners to discuss the challenges facing local high streets and draw from the recent experiences of successful operators on how to prepare for the future.
New polymer designs last 2.5 times as long as traditional cotton notes
Portrait design and advanced security features make it easier for customers to protect themselves from becoming victim of fraud.
Retailers and members of the public in Northern Ireland are being reminded about the biggest shake-up to the cash in their wallet in over 40 years.
As revealed last year, Ulster Bank is switching production of its £5 and £10 notes to more secure and durable polymer material, as well as turning the notes to a vertical orientation.
Commenting on the decision of the Irish Supreme Court upholding the planning approval for the RoI section of the North-South Interconnector, Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said:
“This is excellent news for our economy as it is an investment in the future of our energy infrastructure and securing electricity supply. In the longer term it will mean lower energy bills for our members”
“I hope that we will now see rapid progress for this vital project in Northern Ireland and no more unnecessary delays”
Retail NI and Hospitality Ulster have both written to the Secretary to State for Northern Ireland urging her to reduce the Regional Business Rate and include the £20m Future High Street Fund when the NIO sets the Northern Ireland budget.
The Future High Streets Fund was announced by the Chancellor in his last Budget and provides Northern Ireland with £20m to regenerate town centre (after Barnett Consequential).
Retail NI and Hospitality Ulster Chief Executives Glyn Roberts and Colin Neill said:
Commenting on the latest ATM Robbery at the Glendale filling station, Killyclogher Road in Omagh last night, Retail NI CEO Glyn Roberts said
“This is another disgraceful attack on an independent retailer. It is has caused extensive damage to a local convenience store which provides an invaluable service to the local community”
First Trust Bank has formally notified the Bank of England of its intention to cease own banknote issuance with effect from 1 July 2020. In preparation for this we will shortly begin dispensing Bank of England notes via our ATM network whilst continuing to re-circulate the banknotes of other authorised note-issuing banks, in conjunction with Bank of England notes, over our branch counters.
