REPRESENTATIVES of Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector have warned that they fear jobs within the industry will be lost if the ongoing flag protests continue to affect the local economy.
They met Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster yesterday and voiced their concerns for the future of local businesses, and the livelihoods of thousands of people across the Province.
Representative body Pubs of Ulster have claimed that pubs, restaurants and hotels are suffering as a result of the flag protests, with trade down by an average of 30 per cent, and in some cases by as much as 55 per cent over recent weeks. “In real terms, this means that the industry is currently suffering a dramatic drop in turnover, with one publican alone reporting a loss of £95,000 before Christmas and £60,000 after the Christmas period,” a spokesman said.
“With another local publican reporting that trade fell by 54 per cent last week alone, representatives fear that the situation is showing no signs of improvement.”
Colin Neill, chief executive of Pubs of Ulster, said the intention of the meeting was “not to discuss the rights or wrongs of the protests”. Instead, he said, they wanted to use the meeting as an opportunity to voice fears for the future of local businesses, especially within the hospitality sector, and look at how they can work together to try to get through the current difficulties.
Mrs Foster said she shared the frustrations of the hospitality industry.
“I welcome the opportunity to meet with representatives of the hospitality sector to hear their concerns about the effect the current situation is having on their business,” she said.
“I share their frustration, and that of the wider business community, when I hear trade is suffering as a result.
“The hospitality industry has a very important role to play in giving Belfast the kind of buzz and atmosphere that saw the city being voted one of the world’s top destinations for 2012 by the National Geographic Traveller magazine.
“We spent a lot of time last year building up the image of Northern Ireland with our hugely successful NI2012 campaign. I will do everything I can to ensure a positive message continues to be delivered, because Northern Ireland is still a great place to live, work, invest and visit.”
Meanwhile, the Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce will address the Northern Ireland committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment at Stormont this morning.