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Businesses have voiced their \u201cdeep dismay and distress\u201d at the \u201cshambolic\u201d decision to extend lockdown restrictions on the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\nBusinesses have voiced their \u201cdeep dismay and distress\u201d at the \u201cshambolic\u201d decision to extend lockdown restrictions on the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
Belfast Chamber chief executive Simon Hamilton said there was \u201chuge disappointment\u201d among its members who were forced to close four weeks ago at being told at the \u201c11th hour\u201d that they would not be able to reopen this weekend as intended.<\/p>\n
The Stormont Executive agreed on Thursday to extend the current restrictions on hospitality and close contact businesses for one week after a lengthy political wrangle.<\/p>\n
Mr Hamilton said: \u201cUnfortunately, after offering no convincing evidence for closing these sectors in the first place, no additional evidence has been put forward for keeping them closed for a further period.<\/p>\n
\u201cVarious ministerial statements built up a reasonable expectation amongst businesses that, as they were repeatedly told, the restrictions would last for four weeks, would end on 13 November and that affected businesses could reopen and start trading again from then.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is deep, deep dismay at this change of direction, there is distress at the shambolic way this decision has been made and some are saying that they now feel that they are indeed the \u2018villain\u2019 just a few weeks after being told they weren\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Hamilton added that many businesses are understandably concerned that the adjusted reopening dates they have been given will also \u201cslip\u201d.<\/p>\n
He called on ministers to fast-track financial support for businesses affected.<\/p>\n
He also said businesses needed a \u201ccast-iron guarantee\u201d that the new reopening dates will be honored and that they can operate in the lead up to Christmas.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe embarrassing mess that has played out over the last few days has been hugely unhelpful and ministers must avoid a repeat,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Retail NI said the latest restrictions were \u201cfar from perfect\u201d but it welcomed the certainty a decision being made will give to businesses in the run up to Christmas.<\/p>\n
The representative body\u2019s chief executive Glyn Roberts said: \u201cThis decision provides a roadmap for the reopening of our high streets for the Christmas period and increased footfall for local retailers.<\/p>\n
He added that Retail NI would be \u201cpressing\u201d the Executive to provide a package of support measures to support the high street shops through Christmas.<\/p>\n
While welcoming that a decision had been made on the matter Hospitality Ulster chief executive Colin Neill said extra financial support was now needed to protect businesses and jobs.<\/p>\n
Mr Neill said the decision brings a period of uncertainty to and end that would \u201chopefully result in thousands of jobs and businesses being saved\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur members will do everything they can to make sure they reopen successfully and safely in little over two weeks\u2019 time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Christmas period is vital for our hospitality businesses and while we know that this year will be a lot different, it will provide a critical, if not much reduced, income to help secure jobs and businesses,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been suggested that further support will be provided for mitigations to reduce risk within the hospitality sector, including improved ventilation and requirements for the recording of customer information for contact tracing purposes \u2013 this would be a welcome step by those in the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe await further detail on what additional finance in terms of grant support will be available over this two week period.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile pubs and restaurants may be closed, the bills continue to mount on a daily basis therefore extra financial support is needed now to protect businesses and jobs and we hope that the NI Executive will be swift in getting this money into bank accounts.\u201d<\/p>\n