Retailers back economic plan launch in town

NIIRTA President Glyn Roberts at the Upper Bann launch of The Plan with members of Banbridge and Portadown Chamber of Commerce and Assembly candidates.

The Programme was launched with Banbridge and Portadown Chambers of Commerce and Assembly Election Candidates.

The Programme outlines 97 recommendations, setting out policy priorities for the each of the nine new Executive departments, which will be established after the Assembly election.

NIIRTA is the first business organisation to produce a plan for the new nine departments to get Northern Ireland working again.

Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA Chief Executive said: “NIIRTA is the first business organisation to publish a comprehensive five year policy plan for all nine departments and for the new Assembly. While retail and town centres are central to this report, this is a plan for our economy as a whole.

“With the nine new Executive departments coming into effect, it is time for a fresh start. Retail is the largest contributor to our private sector economy but today our members still feel that there are too many barriers to business in place.

“We are calling for the Executive to take our proposals on board and to work to secure retail’s rightful position as a key partner for growth in a new, more efficient private sector led Northern Ireland.

“In our Economic Programme for Government we outline detailed proposals for a radical reform of business rates, new Enterprise Zones, City Deals, more BIDs and investment in infrastructure”

“It is vital that business owners in Upper Bann engage with candidates in all parties to influence their economic policy priorities.”