New city centre forum

The City Centre Traders Forum has the backing of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIRTA).

Chair and local businessman Martin McCrossan said: "The group is made up of grassroots of small independent traders who care passionately about the future of our city centre.”

He added: “In recent weeks seven small traders have gone out of business and we need to see a new strategy to support and enhance our city centre.”

He also pointed out that “issues like rates, car parking, planning and public realm work all need to be urgently addressed.”

“Our new forum will be hitting the ground running in lobbying for action on behalf of our members.

“Our city may face a lot of challenges, but with growing tourism and the potential of the City of Culture bid we also have many opportunities,” said Mr McCrossan.

The group intends visiting Stormont in the near future to meet all six Foyle MLAs and “put forward our concerns.”

NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “We fully support the establishment of this new group and their policy agenda for the future development of Derry/Londonderry City Centre.

“NIIRTA will be playing a very hands on role in this group in the coming months. A top priority for this new group is to protect and enhance existing retailers in the city centre and to work with all relevant agencies.”

Mr Roberts also said that the new group would be working on “a strategy to attract new retailers to the City Centre rather than unsustainable, out of town locations.”