No bonus for traders

At a meeting at the Lisburn City Management offices on Wednesday afternoon attended by traders within the retail and hospitality sector.

The Star was excluded from the meeting but according to our sources it was revealed that businesses suffered, footfall around the city was down considerably and even car park space at Smithfield was only half full.

According to our sources much of the blame was pointed at the negative media coverage of the heavy traffic congestion which traders claimed put off would-be shoppers to the city.

Praise was given to the council’s efforts in putting forward a good marketing campaign but there was disappointment that no-one took advantage of a special bus set up to transport people from the Balmoral Show to the city.

A Translink rail bus drove through the city only transporting passengers from train halts to and from the Maze.

The meeting was chaired by Paul McCormick, Assistant Director of Environmental Services (Economic Development) with Caroline Speers Tourism Development Officer and two staff of Lisburn City Management also attending.

One trader who attended said that expectations for good business was high but it was soon made clear that there was no bonus for business owners having the Balmoral Show so close to Lisburn.

The only business that benefitted was the owner of a restaurant who claimed that business was up considerably after the event was over.

“Basically trade was definitely down as was footfall but no reason could be identified,” the trader said. “It was a very disappointing time for many.”

The meeting is the first of many meetings expected to take place with feedback helping the Lisburn City Management and the council plan ahead for the following year and monitor the situation.

Another trader said while some hospitality outlets had benefitted, retail outlets had lost out. He also pointed to the Northwest 200 having an impact.

A spokesperson for Lisburn City Centre Management meeting claimed that the Balmoral Show had little impact on business.

“Initial feedback following a meeting with retailers and restaurants in Lisburn City Centre focused on the opportunities created by the Balmoral show’s move to Lisburn despite a less positive than anticipated effect on trade during the first year of the relocated show,” he said..

“Retailers that noted little positive impact or a decline in trade attributed this, in part, to reports of heavy traffic putting off shoppers from visiting the city centre.

“However there were also positive effects on trade with feedback from some restaurants reporting a significant increase over the three days. At the meeting the city centre businesses discussed various options for the way forward and how to work with Lisburn City Council and Lisburn City Centre Management to make the most of the opportunity presented by tens of thousands of visitors attending future shows on our doorstep.”