Minister Explores Aid for Traders Affected by Roadworks

An assembly member for South Belfast has stated that the minister for communities is evaluating a proposal to assist businesses in Belfast’s Sandy Row and Donegall Road areas that have been impacted by roadworks. Durham Street in the city has been closed to facilitate the dismantling of the Boyne Bridge. During a meeting of Belfast City Council, one business owner asserted that the bridge closure was causing more detriment to customer footfall than the Covid pandemic. Translink has indicated that it engaged in extensive consultations with local community groups regarding the construction. The ongoing work is being conducted as part of a wider redevelopment of the vicinity surrounding the new Grand Central Station. Translink reported that the entire redevelopment project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. Edwin Poots, an assembly member representing the area, mentioned that several traders had contacted him to report business losses as a consequence of the works. Mr. Poots stated that he had communicated with Belfast City Council, Translink, and various ministers at Stormont to ascertain what assistance could be provided. He added that his Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) colleague, the minister for communities, was “prepared to look at a scheme to assist”. Poots noted that the local community had opposed the bridge’s dismantling, but he also remarked that it “really need to be be expedited quickly now that it’s started”. He further commented that once the work was completed, it would “doubtless” attract more footfall to the area, but cautioned, “but that’s not to be much help to businesses that have already closed because footfall has reduced by 30-40%”. On Monday evening, Belfast City Council heard presentations from several traders from the affected area. Sarah McCusker, who operates a dog grooming business, explained that she now opens at 07:30 in the morning “in the hope that our customers will miss the chaos”. She additionally stated, “Between 4pm and 6pm, traffic is a standstill.” Ben Allen, owner of a furniture shop, requested rates relief from the council for businesses in the area. He articulated, “We’re basically paying city centre rates in Sandy Row and the Donegall Road and we’ve nothing now, we’ve no passing trade, we don’t have any fairy lights, Christmas lights or anything up.” Mr. Allen characterized the current situation as “worse than Covid”.