Traders 
face bleak Christmas

The state of Lisburn’s streets just weeks before one of busiest times of the year, has outraged Castlereagh and Lisburn councillor 
Tim Mitchell.

He has called for more aid to be given to Lisburn retailers affected by the continuing Public 
Realmwork in the run up to Christmas.

Mr Mitchell said: “As someone who works within the retail sector in Lisburn I have witnessed on a daily basis the negative impact these works have had on traders. The on going works have led to serious disruption at a number of junctions around Market Square as well as impacting the visual amenity of the city centre.

“Like many others in the city I fail to understand why these major works were timed in such a way as to hit two Christmases.

“In addition communication from the council, with exception of my party colleague Councillor Redpath, to the public has been poor. I believe there would have been less frustration from the public had there been communication between the council and the local media.

“Whilst I welcome the positive impact the completed works will have on the city centre more needs to be done help retailers and shoppers in the run to Christmas.”

A spokesperson for Lisburn City Council said that some of public realms work will continue during Christmas.

“The majority of the public realm works will stop in the run-up to Christmas,” the spokesperson said.

“There will be some work continuing in Market Square which will be concealed with large-scale signage in place.”