Over 20% of shops in city remain empty

Mr Crawford’s comments come in the same week that a report released by commercial property agency Lisney revealed over 20% of units in Lisburn were now empty, a jump of over 7% since last year.

This makes Lisburn one of the worst areas assessed, just behind Belfast and Portadown.

“The news that over 20% of our city centre shops are now vacant is not all that surprising given the recession and the manner in which businesses have been continually asked to provide more bricks from less straw,” said Mr Crawford. “There is now a danger of the city centre economy reaching a tipping point where the shop closures reduce footfall to a stage which triggers a domino effect of neighbouring businesses.

“Reduction in footfall and ever increasing costs are the prime cause of the shop closures and many retailers are fighting long and hard to survive.

“The general public has little idea of the huge problems faced by retailers,” continued Mr Crawford. “To open a shop in Lisburn Square, a prospective tenant may well be faced with a bill for around £42,000 in rent, rates and service charges alone which is generally not sustainable.

“The Belfast retail offering has been allowed to expand well beyond what it can support on its own and at the same time Lisburn has been prevented from expanding by politicians bent on promoting Belfast and eliminating any threat to its success.

“Lisburn is suffering from what to some extent is a command economy imposed by Belfast politicians. For nine years we have been denied 800 well paid jobs at John Lewis (as well as 500 construction jobs) which would have been a huge boost to our local economy. Over £30 million has been lost in rates as a result of the delay. Our local politicians have had no influence whatsoever in securing a fair deal for Lisburn but the state of decline must be reversed.”

Mr Crawford has put forward a number of suggestions which, he says, will help to halt the decline of the city centre.

“What is needed is 1. A flexible system of rates giving businesses the option of a tax, based not on notional rents which have no connection with reality, but with turnover, so that when times are hard, fixed charges are reduced enabling firms to stay in business.

“2. An end to the charge of half rates on vacant property. There is practically no turnover in vacant property as prospective landlords are faced with an immediate rates bill of in some cases in our city centre, £500 per week.

“3. New tenants in blighted areas should be subsidised by nil rates for the first two years to break the vicious circle of ‘no shops – no footfall – no shops’. It takes time to rebuild footfall in these areas and the present tax regime makes that impossible. The rates generated by the John Lewis store – if it does not suffer the same fate as the National Stadium – should be used exclusively to subsidise the re-occupation of long term vacant properties in the city centre

“4, Local people should realise that a Belfast clique has declared war on our city and show much more loyalty to our shops that are struggling to survive.

“5. Councils should be given power to vest premises where landlords are making no effort to utilise their properties.

“6. The introduction of the ‘first hour free’ parking and an end to punitive fines on people whose only offence is staying too long in our shops,” concluded Mr Crawford.

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said one of the reasons Lisburn has been so badly affected by the economic downtown is the lack of independent retailers in the city when compared to other areas, such as Ballymena.

“Whilst we welcome the larger multiples in Lisburn, it is vitally important to protect and grow the independent retail sector in the city, many of which have supported Lisburn for generations,” said Mr Donaldson.

“It is important that local people continue to support local retailers and make full use of all of the shops and facilities that Lisburn has to offer.”

The Chairman of Lisburn City Centre Management, Alderman Allan Ewart added: “Whilst the City of Lisburn is not highlighted in the key findings of the report, we are of course very conscious that due to the global economic downturn in the economy that the significance of the retail offer in the City Centre has worsened in recent times.

“There must be continuous engagement with DRD on the area of parking charges, with DFP on rates and work is ongoing with the Council regarding significant investment in its MasterPlan with the Public Realm scheme progressing.”