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By Amy Cochrane
The government’s aid to businesses that have been devastated by the recent floods is “not a drop on the ocean”, according to traders in Co Down.
Businesses in Newry and Downpatrick have expressed their anger following the visit of Northern Ireland Secretary of State Michael McDonnell to Newry on Wednesday.
Chris Heaton Harris announced that 15 million pounds had been diverted from other projects to assist businesses in getting back on their feet. He also promised rates relief, and a one-off grant of PS7,500.
The first payment will be made next week.
A senior civil servant responded to criticism by saying that the PS15m package of flood relief is not the “end of the story”.
Some traders welcomed the announcement, but others were not so happy.
Brian Rogers, proprietor of JJ Donnelly Menswear on Market Street in Downpatrick.
The meeting took place at St Patrick Centre, in town. Mr Heaton Harris was present.
Rogers said that Mr Rogers would not visit the affected premises and has no interest in Downpatrick. “It was just a PR stunt and it had absolutely no value.”
While he apologized to me when speaking with him, I said it was no good. Actions speak louder than the words, and an offer of PS7.500 was not sufficient.
Paul McCartan is the owner of a shoe store and sports outlet just a few doors away from JJDonnelly Menswear.
The money will help pay for the contractor who’s currently working in the shop removing the plaster from the walls. But it won’t touch the side, Mr McCartan stated.
The shoe store, which had been in business since 1926, was submerged under 3 feet of water. It’s absolutely decimated.
The secretary of State’s visit was a waste, as he has no clue how bad the situation is. But you have to accept anything that comes your way at this point.
Robert Gardiner said the PS7.500 offer would barely cover the costs of replacing a motor on one of their twelve historic diesel locomotives that were damaged by floodwaters.
He said that there was also uncertainty about whether or not charities were eligible to receive funding. This would be a real blow for us.
We could lose up to PS50,000 if our Christmas event is cancelled.
Bartley Murphey, a business owner from New York City, called Secretary of State John Kerry a snake in the grass after the latter failed to talk to several traders on his trip.
He said: “PS7.500 is nothing compared to the damage that was done. Furniture, alcohol, kitchen appliances, and our till system were all destroyed. It could cost us PS400,000 just to open again.”
The Secretary of State should have visited the site to see the destruction, but he ran off like a coward and a snake on the grass. Was it even worth his time to come here?”
Darren Kearney is the proprietor of Oakley Fayre Cafe, located also on Market Street. He added that the business community “missed a chance to send an important message to Secretary of State” during his visit.
He said, “We as the business community could have explained what it meant to us. But I don’t think all of our businesspeople were invited.”
Newry was the location of the second two-hour meeting between the Secretary and over 100 local traders.
Eamonn Conolly of Newry Business Improvement District said it was an “excellent visit”, and that Heaton-Harris “engaged with the concerns”
He said, “We had no idea what to expect. But it turned out great.”
He told the newspaper that, although the PS15m package was very much appreciated, the amount needed for the rebuilding of the local economy would be more than PS40m.
He added that “at least 600 jobs are in danger all over the district council.”
McCartan Brothers in Newry is a shop for men’s clothing on Sugar Island, in the city. McCartan said the funding announcement “is just a beginning”.
He revealed last week that it would cost him up to PS250,000 for repairs to his store.
However, one of the owners at Magees bar on Merchant’s Quay has asked those allocating funds to not forget other areas of the city that were badly affected by flooding and not only Sugar Island.
Sabrina McTaggart who runs the family’s business said, “The water diverted was around Merchant’s Quay, and although Sugar Island was destroyed, we too were badly affected.”
Neil Gibson, the permanent secretary of Finance’s Department, said on Thursday that additional financial assistance could be made available.
He said, “We were very pleased to be given the permission to transfer money from capital to resource spending.”
The Treasury has given us permission to spend 15 million pounds.
My team and I are working to prepare legislation as soon as possible to implement the rate relief.
It’s also important to tell the affected companies that more could be needed for targeted interventions.
We don’t wish to scare people into thinking that the public finances are in a bad state, but we must use each penny to the best of our ability.
For example, we will look very closely at the type of assistance that these businesses require. Are we going to open the business in exactly the same manner as before? Do we wish to change the physical structure of these businesses to prevent this from happening again?
It’s important to take a measured approach when deciding how best to respond.
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