Eason closure plan ‘stark reminder of changing face of retail’ warns former Newtownabbey mayor

That was the view of a former mayor of Newtownabbey after the book retailer announced it is considering not reopening its seven branches across the province.

Alliance Councillor Billy Webb said: “The devastating economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is only now starting to hit our local businesses and I sympathise with the staff at Eason’s in the Abbey Centre as this is a blow to them during a particularly difficult time for the economy.

“The closure, which is the unfortunate outcome of several years of difficult trading as shoppers have moved online, is a stark reminder of the changing face of retail, if we don’t use these shops, we lose them. The more we lose the less vibrant and attractive our retail areas are.

“I am on a new committee on council which has been set up to assist local businesses recover from the lockdown but there are some that were already struggling before the pandemic and it was the final straw.”

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has established two forums designed to strengthen two of the sectors most heavily impacted by Covid-19. The Retail and Town Centre Re-opening Mobilisation Team and Tourism Covid-19 Recovery Team will focus on collaborative working between businesses from across the borough, the council and central government partners.

Council says the initiatives are informing joint recovery plans aimed at building consumer confidence, driving footfall and delivering best practice in accordance with guidance.

Read reaction to Eason closure proposal here

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