City Centre Traders Forum established in Derry to address challenges.

Martin McCrossan Chair of the City Centre Traders Forum and Glyn Roberts CEO NIIRTA outside Austin’s in Derry

A new traders group the City Centre Traders Forum has been established today in Derry to address the major challenges facing Derry and its City Centre. The City Centre Traders Forum will be fully supported by the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association.

Martin McCrossan Chair of the City Centre Traders Forum said: “This new group is made up of grassroots small independent traders who care passionately about the future of our city centre. In recent weeks seven small traders have went out of business and we need to see a new strategy to support and enhance our city centre”

“Issues like rates, car parking, planning and public realm work all need to be urgently addressed and our new Forum will be hitting the ground running in lobbying for action on behalf of our members”
“Our city may face a lot of challenges, but with growing tourism and the potential of the City of Culture bid we also have many opportunities”

“Very shortly we hope to visit Stormont and meet all six of the Foyle MLAs to put forward our concerns”
Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA Chief Executive said: “We fully support the establishment of this new group and their policy agenda for the future development of Derry/Londonderry City Centre. NIIRTA will be playing very hands on role in this group in the coming months”

“A top priority for this new group is to protect and enhance existing retailers in the city centre and to work with all relevant agencies on a strategy to attract new retailers to the City Centre rather than unsustainable out of town locations”