NI takes major step out of lockdown as hospitality and retail outlets reopen

Apr 30, 2021

Dear reader

It was wonderful to see retail and hospitality in Northern Ireland reopening on Friday after four long months of lockdown.

Not surprisingly there were long queues outside certain stores across the Province, with Primark particularly popular amongst shoppers.

It was similar for hospitality, with businesses allowed to reopen outdoors. There were long lines of mostly young people queuing outside hospitality venues across Belfast on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, an emotional Arlene Foster was in front of the cameras and confirmed that she will be standing down as an MLA for Fermanagh South Tyrone.

The outgoing first minister also confirmed that she had not spoken to those in her party who signed the letter calling for a leadership election in the DUP.

Of course we know now that Edwin Poots, agriculture minister, was the first person to declare for the leadership.

I hope you enjoy the May Bank Holiday weekend, with doors of retail and hospitality open once again.

Alistair Bushe

Editor

Want total access to all of our online content? You can subscribe to our website, newsletter.co.uk for just £1 a month for 3 months - and it couldn't be easier.

Signing up will get you faster-loading articles, fewer adverts and access to exclusive content and events when we run them. To learn more, visit our Subscriptions page here.


	Hospitality and retail outlets reopen as NI takes major step out of lockdown

	Northern Ireland has taken a major stride out of lockdown as many hospitality and retail outlets reopened their doors after four months of closure.

Long queues at Primark as shoppers flock to city centres

Long queues have formed across Northern Ireland’s towns and cities as much of the high street reopened today.

Covid death toll passes new landmark in latest statistics

The toll of Covid-19 linked deaths recorded in Northern Ireland has passed 2,950.

NI vaccine roll-out: Early bookings available for 30-34 year-olds

Northern Ireland’s vaccination programme is to be opened up to some 30 to 34-year-olds.

Influx of care home ‘safeguarding’ issues possible as family visits return, warns support group

There could be an influx of “safeguarding issues” from care homes in Northern Ireland once family visits get back to normal, the head of a support group has said.

Late summer date planned for £100 shopping vouchers scheme

Every adult in Northern Ireland will be able to apply for a £100 voucher to spend on the high street it has been announced as society takes its next steps out of lockdown.

Executive says no change in rules for reopening of outdoor hospitality

The Stormont Executive has insisted there has been “no change” around rules for outdoor hospitality venues on the eve of post-lockdown reopening.



	View more news