Concern as survey shows quarter of shops vacant

The struggling economy has hit Lisburn hard and anyone who has been shopping in the city recently cannot fail to notice the number of empty shops.

Indeed, figures released this week have confirmed that Lisburn has a vacancy rate of some 25%, meaning that a quarter of shops in the city centre are currently empty.

Lisburn sits just behind Ballymena with 27% and Bangor with 36% of shops remaining vacant.

Former Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Ronnie Crawford, has been vocal on the issue and has repeatedly called for action to halt the decline in shops and help struggling business owners in the city.

Following the announcement of the vacancy figures this week, Mr Crawford wrote to Finance Minister, Simon Hamilton, about what he has called: “the economic blight affecting much of the retail sector in the centre of Lisburn.”

In his letter, Mr Crawford called on the Minister to bring forward proposals to stop the decline and to boost local businesses.

“Quite clearly a new approach is needed to end business failures and the rates burden and on-line shopping are the main causes of our current problem,” he said. “In addition, as one business closes, crucial footfall diminishes thus increasing the threat of unviability to adjoining businesses. We now have landlords unable to let property even when they offer it rent free because of the rates burden and bleak market conditions. And few entrepreneurs are willing to risk capital in such a market so there is no mechanism to increase footfall.”

Mr Crawford went on to say: “Areas of retail blight should be designated as distress zones and all businesses within that area should be given the option of continuing with the present rates system or converting to system where the rates burden is lifted and the proprietors agree to a new local tax based on turnover.”

Mr Crawford invited the Finance Minister to share his views on the situation, and added that he would be writing to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osbourne, seeking government help to address the worrying situation in Lisburn.

Our readers too expressed their concerns and frustrations via our facebook page.

John Marsden commented: “The day John Lewis were stopped was the day Lisburn died. We now have Greens where the living dead roam and Bow Street Mall which is a 80s throw back and has as many empty units as Bow street. Lisburn should have moved with the times

Debbie Kirk: “No surprises there. If the cut the cost of the rates it wouldn’t be such a struggle for the retailers to stay open.”

Kenny Bickerstaff: “Urban centres need to generate individuality to create identity. For too long urban centres have taken the ‘easy’ money from multi-nationals who then bail out when their boards make decisions to do so.

“More sustainable independent trading based on local trades would create more loyalty from the businesses. Let the big business have outer town locations and have something truly individual to attract people to our town centres. Oh and if anyone would care to try and get Lisburn being more than mon-sat 9-5, they could retain people from shopping or working in to leisure trades.”

Neddort Nitram: “Sure spend thousands on a water feature in Market Square. That’s what we really need in the ‘CITY’ centre. IDIOTS!”

Samantha Buchanan: “We are left with the Zombie Retailers and the people at the leading edge have all been told to go to Belfast.”

Julie Smyth: “Why are they digging up the pedestrian area at what cost? To whom? What benefit to retailers or purchasers? It has created noise dirt and inconvenience definitely not more trade! Where did the money come from? Could it not have been more wisely spent?

Mark Porter: “Too little to late people... To0 little to late...”

You can read more comments on page 16.

To have your say on this issue you can email us on [email protected] or visit our facebook page.