THE MAJOR Belfast stores are to open during the main Twelfth parades this July in a bid to boost the economy of the city centre.
This year’s main parades take place on Monday 13th, the Twelfth falling on a Sunday. Large city centre stores are to open for a few hours once the main parade has made its way through to the field, and close before the return parade at about 4.30pm.
Previous years have seen most stores and other outlets closed for the entire day.
The announcement was made yesterday by the retail sector, the Orange Order and the PSNI. Supt Brian Maguire called for co-operation with police to ensure a trouble-free day. “Every year we put significant resources right across Northern Ireland to ensure that anyone attending parades can do so peacefully and safely. We will continue to do so this year,” he said.
“The overall policing operation in south and east Belfast has been extended this year to facilitate shops opening for a four-hour period. This is in response to both the wishes of a number of retailers and the Orange Order,” he said. “This is the first year the shops are opening and whilst we will plan for this we need people to play their part to make this a successful day for everyone,” he said.
“Last year we worked very closely with the Orange Order, and other parade organisers, as well as other partner organisations to tackle on-street and underage drinking. In Belfast alone 3,000 units of alcohol were seized on the Twelfth.
The DUP said the decision would benefit the Belfast economy.
Nelson McCausland said: “The decision of the traders in Belfast to decide to open on the Twelfth of July is a major vote of confidence in the Orange leadership. They are to be supported and praised for the positive strides forward they have made.
For the Alliance party, Ian James Parsley said: “If people are serious about turning this period into a festival rather than a source of division, businesses should be able to benefit from it.
“We are in tough economic times and this might help benefit local shops and businesses. This also provides a chance for people to show that Northern Ireland is moving forward.”