Act now to stop trade in city being ‘devastated’ - MP

“If something is not done soon then by the time the recession is over the extent of the damage inflicted on retailers will be so devastating it will take years to recover” he warned.

Mr Donaldson was speaking ahead of a visit by two Stormont ministers to the city next week to hear at first hand the difficulties traders are facing.

“I invited Finance Minister Sammy Wilson and Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy to hear from the people on the ground because I have been concerned for some time that the retail sector was under huge pressure” Mr Donaldson said.

“A number of businesses have had to close because of the recession and there is an urgent need to put in place a strategy to get people shopping again in the city centre and help retailers.

“Next week’s visit will give the ministers the chance to see at first hand the devastation of the retail sector in the city centre.”

Mr Donaldson said he expected the ministers would be told about high rates and the problems caused by on-street parking charges among other things.

“We need support and incentives to enable businesses to remain open and survive this recession” he said.

The visit has been welcomed by Cllr Ronnie Crawford. But he warned it would not be judged by ‘the number of photographs taken but on effective solutions to the problems facing Lisburn’.

Among the issues he hoped would be addressed were rates, restoring footfall and incentivising retailers to tenant shops which have been closed for some time.

“Will Sammy Wilson make it possible for vacant properties in the worst affected areas of the city centre to attract a rates holiday to allow new tenants to get established?” he said.

“Will Danny Kennedy amend legislation to ensure that motorists who impede traffic flow will be fined more heavily than those shoppers who are a few minutes over time in returning to their car or a few inches over a white parking line?

“Our public representatives need to ensure Lisburn get a fair whack of the cake so liberally distributed to other areas and it is on that they will be judged.”