‘Unacceptable’ violence and rioting over flag in Belfast has cost $24 million

Traders hit by losses over Christmas season as protests continue in the city

By: RACHAEL LAIRD | Published Friday, January 11, 2013, 8:04 AM | Updated Friday, January 11, 2013, 9:38 AM

According to the Confederation of British Industry, weeks of the union flag protests in the capital Belfast have cost businesses up to $24 million. 

The protests which have been held across the city over the councils decision to restrict the flying of the Union flag on designated days.

Nigel Smyth, of the CBI in Northern Ireland, said protests were putting people off from coming to the city. Local businesses said they have lost out over the busy Christmas period, with the CBI in Northern Ireland estimating the total losses at between £10m ($16 million) and £15m ($24 million).

Nigel from the organisation said: "We are aware that figures quoted before Christmas estimated the loss of revenue to Belfast City retailers, following flag protests in the city, were around £10m to £12m.”

"Based on these estimates and following the continued protests in the city, we would envisage that figure to have risen to between £10m to £15m."

Read more: Loyalists cancel Dublin flag protest after clash with rugby match and rock concert

"The solution to this is not throwing bricks and having riots," he said.

Traders hit by the flags protest in Belfast are expected to ask local politicians for a bailout at a meeting of business owners planned for next week.

Flag protests took place in Belfast and Londonderry on Wednesday evening, however there were no reports of any trouble and it was very peaceful.

For Chris Suitor, in December the books at his menswear shop show a downturn of 25% on the previous year.

He told UTV that potential customers stayed away from the city centre because of the protests.
"Between our two businesses were maybe £20-25,000 down on the month of December," he said.

"That's a lot of money for any businesses to lose. We're going to not so much struggle, but we are definitely going to have to cut a few corners in the future to try to make things work."

At a special Policing Board meeting on Thursday, PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott again called for an end to any disturbances.

"It's damaging the reputation of Northern Ireland, that has been very clear. It's starting to damage the investment in our future and it's certainly damaging the future of our young people," he told UTV.

During the meeting, it emerged that the cost of the first two weeks of policing in December cost £4m.

Read more: Rubber bullets fired by Belfast police in worst violence of 15 years

Mr Baggott said there PSNI resources are not at crisis point, but admitted that it is tight and there are "implications for the future, should the violence continue".

Speaking at Westminster, Secretary of State Theresa Villiers said the damage inflicted to the economy has been "considerable". "Huge efforts have been made in recent years to project a modern, confident, outward-looking Northern Ireland that's a great place to do business, she added.

"But the pictures beaming round the world of riots and disorder make it far, far harder to compete in the global race for inward investment, jobs and livelihoods are under threat so it is essential that these protests and this violence stops now."

Unionists on Belfast City Council said they will press for a rates cut to help traders affected by the disruption over flags. A joint statement from the DUP and UUP laid the blame on nationalists and the Alliance Party for "pushing through" the flag policy changes.

Sinn Féin accused them of "abdicating responsibility" and asked them to explain to people where the cuts would come from to pay for a rates cut.

The issue will be discussed by the council in February.