LISTEN: 'Significant impact' on Belfast city centre during COVID-19

By PA News Team.

Simon Hamilton, who represents traders at the Belfast Chamber, gave evidence on the impact of coronavirus to Stormont's economy committee.

He said: "It isn't expected that footfall will pick up to anywhere near pre-coronavirus levels for some time to come so those businesses will need ongoing support to help them through these tough times which will be with us for quite a while."

Mr Hamilton said Belfast's performance sent "ripples" around other parts of Northern Ireland.

Simon Hamilton told Stormont's economy committee that only 6% of businesses in Belfast remained physically open, only a third were eligible for either the Executive's £10,000 or £25,000 grant schemes and 83% of businesses are furloughing workers.

Simon Hamilton

He said the impact on the city had been significant.

"Given the fact that the city is the economic driver of the entire region, accounting for 30% of Northern Ireland's jobs, produces a quarter of the total rates take and generates 50% of out of state visitor spend."

Colm Shannon, chief executive of Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade, said the extension of business rates relief and the jobs furlough scheme is important.

"Some form of extension of furlough would be vital because businesses will be starting at a different scale than they were in March," he said.

"Many will be trying to rebuild their market share and many will not be in profit."

DUP committee member Christopher Stalford said he has seen more traffic on the roads.

"Fatigue is starting to set in with the public - you only have to look at the routes around Belfast to see that.

"I think more people will abide by it if they get a sense of when it will end."

A Department for the Economy spokesman said it recognised the ongoing impact of the pandemic crisis on businesses.

"For those businesses that do not meet the criteria required for the Business Support Grant Schemes, there is a range of further support available including the three-month business rates holiday for all Northern Ireland businesses and UK-wide level support including the Coronavirus Business Interruption Schemes, Bounce Back Loan Scheme and Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme," he said.

"The department operates the grant schemes on the same basis throughout Northern Ireland and the approach to using rateable values is consistent with the rest of the UK."