Derry chamber chief Paul Clancy welcomes move to allow non-essential retailers to reopen

The Executive announced on Thursday that if the R-number remained below one a variety of retailers would be allowed to re-open from Monday, June 8.

Mr. Clancy said: “We welcome this afternoon’s announcement that some larger retailers – like car showrooms, electrical shops, furniture stores, and animal grooming businesses - will be allowed to reopen from 8 June, provided the R number remains at a safe level.

“Reopening and rebuilding our economy safely will require careful, calculated steps like these and it is welcome that businesses can now begin to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

"This announcement also gives these business owners time to prepare for reopening and adapt their stores, If necessary, to accommodate social distancing."

The Derry chamber chief said he looked forward to more information on when other non-essential retailers would be allowed to trade.

"I would encourage the Executive to provide more clarity over the future of other, smaller retailers in the coming days and communicate clearly to these businesses when and how they can begin to trade again.

“However, the news that hotels can now take advance bookings, but without a date of when they can reopen to guests, is contradictory.

"This will frustrate many hoteliers and lead to confusion within the wider hospitality sector. More clarity is needed over whether this will happen as soon as the end of July – as is planned in the Republic of Ireland – or whether it will be at a later date," he said.