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Chief ConstableSets OutPriorities forRetail Crime -p3

Summer 2010

AgendaWelcome

The President of Belfast Chamber of Trade andCommerce, Mr Norman Maynes

Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr. PatConvery,

Key Note Addresses

Devolution, the benefits to BusinessOFDFM Junior Minister, Robin Newton MLA

Retailing, a view of the next 12 monthsMr John King, Chief Executive, House of Fraser

The Retailers Paradigm

Retailing in Northern Ireland, the year ahead:Attracting Shoppers back to Town Centres

Gary Mills, Operations Director, Tesco Ireland

Funding Significantly Improved RetailEnvironmentspost Review of Public AdministrationProfessor Mike Smyth, University of Ulster

Planning: The need for a co-ordinatedFrameworkMinister for the Environment, Mr. Edwin Poots,MLA

Workshops

Business Improvement DistrictsRichard Guiney, Chief Executive Dublin BIDAndrew Mawhinney, Chief Executive, Dundalk BID

Retailing in the Digital WorldRichard Clement, Marketing Director, PierceCommunications

The Future of Independent RetailGlyn Roberts, Chief Executive of Northern IrelandIndependent Retail Trade Retail Association

By Andrew Irvine, Belfast City Centre Manager

The upcoming Retail Northern Irelandconference is set to ignite debate on themost pressing topics for retailers,enabling retailers to share concerns,successes and strategies with theirpeers.

The retail sector has evolved

considerably over the last two decades.There has been a rapid expansion, sincethe 1980s, of multiple retail departmentstores and of out-of-town superstores.Independent retailers will be given theopportunity to directly question Tesco’smost senior Director in Ireland, Mr GaryMills, along with Chief Executive of Houseof Fraser, Mr John King.

The Retail Conference, which is beingaddressed by two Northern IrelandExecutive Ministers, will reinforce theimportance of Northern Ireland’s retailindustry as a key sector in achievingeconomic recovery and. Delegates will beable to directly challenge ExecutiveMinisters on important retailing issues suchas the need for Planning Policy to protecttown centres.

The theme for this exciting conferencewill be ‘responsive retailing’. Given thecurrent instability with regards to the ‘creditcrunch’, a rise among businesses goinginto administration, and unemploymentconcerns, this is an appropriate theme toenable us to explore how survival, and

even growth, can be achieved throughresponding to the consumer, creatingsuccessful retail strategies, and protectingour retailing environments. The conferencewill highlight examples of best practice forretailers big and small, independent andmultiple.

The speakers lined up for the event areof the highest calibre and possess awealth of experience on this criticallyimportant area of our economy, from policymakers, retail skill specialists andinnovators in the online market world. Inaddition, afternoon workshops will givedelegates the opportunity to engage withretailing issues on four main areas ofincreasing interest; Business ImprovementDistricts, retailing in the digital world, retailskills training, and a workshop by GlynRoberts, Chief Executive of the NorthernIreland Independent Retail Association, on‘bread & butter’ issues for independentretailers.

The Retail NI Conference promises tobe a very worthwhile day for retailers inNorthern Ireland.

Retail NI 2010 ConferenceWhy should independent retailers attend the Retail NI conference?

Retail NI 2010 Conference Thursday 30th September, Stormont Hotel, Belfast

To attend visit www.retail-ni.co.uk or call Nicola Evans on 9024 2111

By Matt Baggot, PSNI Chief Constable

These are tough times for retailers, andas the country prepares itself for morebelt tightening, even tougher times maylie ahead. None of us is immune.

The last thing I’m sure retailers needat the moment is a problem with crime,in any shape or form.

That’s why I am determined thatpolice will work with you to makeNorthern Ireland safe, confident andpeaceful and, importantly from yourperspective, make this community agood place to do business.

I am committed to ensuring that mycolleagues provide you with a policingservice which is responsive to yourneeds, personal, impartial, accountableand delivers positive results.

These are not just fine words for meto write and then forget about. This is anongoing commitment by my officers towhich we are held to account throughyour District Policing Partnerships and bythe Policing Board.

Business Crime, ranging from lowlevel criminal damage to extortion, fraudand counterfeit currency will remain akey priority on the Police Service agenda.

So what are we doing? We have inplace a range of initiatives dedicated topreventing and responding to crimewhich impacts upon the business and

retail community. These include:• Membership of the Organised Crime

Task Force, dedicated to workingwith government, other lawenforcement agencies and thecommercial sector to eradicate thescourge of organised criminality.

• Specialist financial investigatorstargeting fraud and moneylaundering.

• Crime prevention officers in everyDistrict.

• A Cash in Transit control room, run inpartnership with the industry, tomonitor and protect all cashdeliveries.

• Radio link programmes in severaltowns between traders, police andcouncils.

• Membership of the Business CrimePartnership Northern Ireland, workingto address the needs of the businesscommunity about crime.

Already, much of this work is deliveringresults. Overall crime is down by onepercent and the detection rate is up byalmost three percent. We have a strongervisible presence in communities with 400more officers delivering neighbourhoodand response policing, more than at anyother time in the last three years. Manymore of my colleagues will be joiningthem in the coming months. By tackling

bureaucracy, streamlining our systemsand further improving our use oftechnology we will enable those officersto spend more time in the communitieswhere you trade.

We have worked with a range ofpartners, including NIIRTA, to reduce thenumber of thefts of ATMs. This crimetrend has been substantially reduced andthe gangs involved have beendismantled.

We are active members of theBusiness Crime Partnership NorthernIreland, ready and willing to play our partin preventing and detecting crime. Wehave worked to reduce the incidence ofso-called Tiger kidnaps, to prevent fraudand robbery and tackle the scourge ofIntellectual Property Crime. We willcontinue to do so.

But behind every crime statistic, thereis a personal story about an individualretailer who has been the victim ofcrime. By focusing on that personalstory, by dealing with it in a professionaland protective manner, I know we canmake a real difference.

We still have much to do. Our effortswill be focused on listening to you,identifying local issues of concern andworking together to solve them. Byworking together, we can put thecriminals out of business.www.psni.police.uk

Police working to deliver

The report ‘Energy Efficiency in Retailing’, published by theCarbon Trust and NIIRTA, says this annual energy usage isproducing over 62,000 tonnes of carbon-dioxide – theequivalent of driving 190 million miles in a standard car.

It also lists a number of practical suggestions for smallretailers which could lead to a reduction of 30% on energy bills.

Arlene Foster said: “Northern Ireland’s independentconvenience stores spend an estimated £15million on energyevery year.

“Reducing energy consumption is good for the environmentand for business too because it gives the opportunity toincrease profitability and competitiveness.

“The publication of this report by the Carbon Trust andNIIRTA provides step by step guidance for shop owners onhow they can cut their energy costs, with practical suggestionson how to reduce bills by up to 30%.”

NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “It is simplystaggering that our members are spending over £15millionevery year on energy, which produces over 62,000 tonnes ofcarbon dioxide - the equivalent of driving 190 million miles in astandard car.

“A small retailer in Northern Ireland could be spending asmuch as £45,000 a year on their energy bill. This is obviouslynot sustainable economically or environmentally.

“By looking at the energy use in store, retailers can improve

their environmental performance and make cost savings.“Refrigeration and lighting equates to 70% of energy usage

among independent retailers and the report includes a practicalshopping list to address these issues.

“The retail sector involves several activities that have a directimpact on climate change. These include energy use in stores,leakage of refrigerant gases, food miles and packaging.”

Geoff Smyth, Manager of the Carbon Trust in NorthernIreland said: “While improved ‘shop keeping’ will yield goodenergy savings, it also makes sense to spend to save evenmore – particularly if a retailer can make use of a Carbon Trustinterest-free Energy Efficiency Loan. Within the retail sector wewould generally recommend projects that would pay back inless than three years, but there are projects that will give areturn within a year.

“These could include time controls on equipment to ensureit is switched off outside trading hours, occupancy sensors onback of house lighting, improved heating controls and energyefficient lamps in light fittings.”

Some retailers may be entitled to a free carbon survey fromthe Carbon Trust to help identify all the cost effectiveopportunities that exist in their store. Those who do not qualifycan still use the Carbon Trust’s website www.carbontrust.co.ukor contact the dedicated advice line 0800 085 2005.

Download the full report from www.niirta.com.

Foster: £15million reasons to be energy efficientEnterprise Minister Arlene Foster has launched a report which reveals Northern Ireland Independent RetailTrade Association (NIIRTA) convenience store members are spending £15million every year on energy costs.

(from left to right) GeoffSmyth Carbon TrustManager, Arlene FosterMLA, Minister for Enterpriseand Glyn Roberts, NIIRTACEO launching the report

541 Saintfield Road, Belfast BT8 8ES. Telephone: (028) 9335 9830 • Mobile: 078 5074 0960Email: info@integralenergysolutions.co.uk

Acting as independent, impartial energy consultants allows us totender, procure and advise on the entire energy market; henceoptimising the value for money received by our clients at all times.

• Comprehensive Energy Management Contracts.• Energy Tariff Analysis & Independent Procurement Advice.• Northern Ireland’s first CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme Agents.• Independent Energy Audits & Renewable Energy Feasibility Studies.• Periodic Energy Reports (Annual, Monthly etc).• Expert guidance on all available funding options.• Energy Project Management.

What should I do now?So you have the low down on how to save energy; what should you do now? Below is a‘shopping list’ which focuses on the main areas of opportunity in the biggest energy usingareas of lighting and refrigeration.

The announcement comes following a meeting withDepartment of Environment Minister Edwin Poots at which theissue was discussed.

The new legislation will introduce Business ImprovementDistricts (BIDs) to our towns and cities. This will mean greaterpowers and control for councils and local businesses. BIDsallow businesses to vote on the services they want to invest into improve their trading environment. The sorts of services thatcan be improved include security, street cleaning and even newChristmas lighting.

Minister Attwood said “I am confident that BusinessImprovement Districts will prove to be a useful tool insupporting town centres to recover from the current economic

downturn. They have already proved successful in the Republicof Ireland, Great Britain and the USA and now they can make adifference in Northern Ireland.

“These proposals will enable councils, with the agreementof local businesses, to fund and deliver improved services inspecific areas, such as town centres. It will give them freedomto work in partnership to decide and deliver the services thatare important to them; services that will make our town centresmore competitive, safer, cleaner and more enjoyable for all.” The powers to introduce Business Improvement Districts will

require new legislation. This will follow public consultation onthe policy proposals by the Department for Social Developmentin the coming months.

County Antrim farmer John Thompson is the new Presidentof the Ulster Farmers’ Union. The Ballymoney dairy farmerwas elected to the position by the organisations members atthe UFU Annual General Meeting, held at Loughry College,Cookstown.

The newly elected UFU Deputy Presidents are Draperstownbeef and sheep producer Harry Sinclair and Ballyclare pigs andbeef producer Norman Robson.

In his first address to Union members as President, JohnThompson said; “The key issues which I will be initially prioritisinginclude producer prices, CAP post 2013 and animal health.Volatile prices are a growing issue and the UFU will maintainpressure to improve producer returns. The Union will also beleading the debate about the next CAP reform and will representour members’ views through this process.

“We have consistently supported the principle of an improvedanimal health status across both statutory and productiondiseases and will continue to work closely with the industry andGovernment to make progress on this critical issue.

“As the UFU’s main asset is its members, I also want to lookto the future and focus on encouraging more young people to joinand become involved in the work of the Union.”

John Thompson replaces outgoing UFU President GrahamFurey, who completed a very successful two year term in office.Mr Furey enjoyed an eventful and challenging period as President.Key issues included the implementation of the EU’s NitratesDirective, dairy industry crisis, dioxins, dealing with the flooding inFermanagh and the aftermath of the severe winter in 2009.During his time, the UFU campaign to persuade the Governmentto establish an independent Supermarket Ombudsman provedsuccessful and Mr Furey was also heavily involved in our UFU90th Anniversary Africa Appeal which took him to Kyengando inUganda last year to open the new UFU school.

Attwood LaunchesBIDS Legislation New Social Development Minister Alex Attwood hasannounced that he will take forward new legislation to give greater powers to businesses to improve ourtown centres.

New leadership team for the UFU

UFU leadership team

Southern Regional College has officially opened a newRetail Training Store at their Newry campus, NorthernIreland’s first purpose built retail training facility.

CEO Brian Doran welcomed over 100 guests, at least 60 ofwhom were retailers, to the launch of this new facility aimed atmeeting the training needs of local retailers. He explained thatthe store would be used to deliver SRC’s wide range of retailtraining programmes across all levels. The facility is alsoavailable to be used by local and regional retail specialists.

SRC is committed to meeting the needs of local retailersand believes that a practical training environment will assist withthe development of staff within this sector. Although this facilityhas opened in Newry, plans are already afoot to develop furthertraining stores across some of the other campuses in thesouthern region.

In addition to meeting the needs of retailers, this trainingfacility will also help to increase the demand among our schoolleavers to follow a career in retail. The retail sector is the largestand fastest growing private sector employer in Northern Irelandwith approximately 9000 businesses and 82000 workers.However, over 25% of people working in retail have noqualifications. Mr Doran highlighted the fact that retail is one ofthe most diverse and exciting sectors to make a career in.

Glyn Roberts from NIIRTA (Northern Ireland IndependentRetail Trade Association) and Prof Barry Quinn from Universityof Ulster also spoke at the event. They praised the foresight ofSRC in addressing the training and development needs of theretail sector. Mr Roberts said “NIIRTA fully supports thisexcellent new retail training initiative by the Southern RegionalCollege and would urge the other FE Colleges to follow their

lead. It is our hope that this new Training Shop will helpproduce the independent retail entrepreneurs of the future andthus make a considerable contribution to both the expansion ofour sector and indeed the private sector as a whole.”

Dr Conor Patterson, President of Newry Chamber ofCommerce and Trade officially declared the Retail Training Storeopen for business. He welcomed this facility as a much neededtraining environment for the retail sector of the southern regionand beyond. Speaking on behalf of Newry Chamber ofCommerce and Trade, Dr Patterson emphasised theimportance of retail as a key employer in the greater Newryarea. “The key skills needed for a successful career in Retail aretransferable to many other sectors so it is an excellent trainingground for careers in various other fields. Newry has alwaystraditionally been a trading centre and this Retail Training Storeis bringing this concept into the modern age.”

The training store is stocked with a number of items thatwere kindly donated by some local sponsors including TheGood Food Shop, Gordons Chemists, Kellys Building Supplies,Around-A-Pound, Donaghys Shoes, O’ Reillys The SweetPeople, Tayto, Sainsburys and Debenhams.

Customer service and Merchandising/Visual Display trainingwill be a key focus of the store. Retail Apprenticeships andRetail Management will also be delivered. There will be masterclasses aimed at retail owner/managers including CategoryManagement, Branding, Marketing for more Customers andFinance for Retail as well as a Retail Consultancy Service.

For more information on the Retail Training Store pleasecontact Tracy Rice at the Business Support Centre, NewryCampus on 028 3025 9664 or email retail@src.ac.uk.

SRC Retail Training Store isthe first in Northern Ireland

NIIRTA highlighted the needs of its members and partner organisations by organising walkabouts and meetinglocal retailers, involving most of the main political parties in Derry/Londonderry, Banbridge, Lisburn Road andBallyclare during the recent General Election. Those taking part included First Minister Peter Robinson, DeputyFirst Minister Martin McGuinness, Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie, Enterprise Minister ArleneFoster and Shadow Agriculture Secretary Jim Paice.

Glyn Roberts NIIRTA Chief Executive said: “At the outset of the election campaign we were determined toshowcase the best of our independent retail sector, highlight its huge contribution to our economy and give smallbusiness owners a chance to express their concerns directly to candidates and ministers.”

“In every location visited, small business owners expressed major concerns over rates, out of town retailplanning, car parking, red tape and the difficulty in working across so many different Executive Departments toget things done.”

NIIRTA Highlights Importance Of Retail in General Election Campaign

Lisburn Road-Peter Carrington, Chair of the Lisburn Road Business Association, Arlene Foster MLA,Enterprise Minister, Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA and Jimmy Spratt MLA

Martina Anderson MLA, Glyn Roberts and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA in Derry

Raymond McCartney MLA, Martin McCrossan, Roberts, NIIRTA CEO, Martin McGuiness MP M

First Minister Peter Robinson MLA, BallyclareMcCrea MP and Glyn Roberts in Ballyclare

Chair of the Derry City Centre Traders Forum, GlynMLA, Deputy First Minister and Martina Anderson MLA

e Chamber President Niall McConkey, William

Derry/Londonderry, Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA, Mark Durkan MP MLA & Social Development MinisterMargaret Ritchie MLA

Derry/Londonderry, Mark Durkan MP leading the SDLP delegation around the city centre

DUP delegationholds a round

table discussionwith Ballyclare

independentretailers

The Ulster Farmers’ Union has welcomed the support ofthe European Parliament regarding Country of Originlabelling (COOL) as a result of voting taken in Strasbourgrecently.

UFU President John Thompson, who was present at thevote, stated; “This is great news for UK consumers and farmersas we are progressing towards ultimately ensuring consumersare better informed about where their produce comes from.

“Recent UK surveys indicate that over 75% of consumerswant to see COOL labelling on all packaging and it is essentialthat consumers making a food purchasing decision should haveclear information on origin. Current legislation can producemisleading origin labelling which is often abused and canconfuse the consumer.

“Mandatory COOL labelling presently applies to beef andveal, fruit and vegetables, eggs, wine, honey, olive oil and EUorganic products. However, the UFU strongly believes thereshould be a consistency across all sectors and therefore, thereis no reason why origin labelling should not be extended to thelast few remaining sectors, namely poultry meat, dairy, lamb

and pork as well as the food service sector.Mr Thompson adds; “The European Parliament vote delivers

a strong political message regarding the call for mandatoryCountry of Origin labelling that cannot be ignored. This is onlythe beginning of the legislative process but we’re delighted tosee such a positive outcome to our lobbying efforts.”

Country of Origin labelling gets EU vote

Since its establishment more thantwo decades ago, firstly as ArmaghBacon Agency, subsequently asPinkerton’s, the company has beenfirmly focused on providing excellentProducts and unparalleled service tothe wholesale trade.

Today Pinkerton’s delivers itsrenowned range of fresh pork andbacon products to customers in hotels,restaurants, butchers, food outlets,supermarkets, symbol groups andwholesalers across Northern Ireland.The emphasis remains on the ‘personalbut professional’ touch and Pinkerton’steams aim to deliver the freshestproduce to you in time for breakfasteach day!

Direct benefitsBecause Pinkerton’s purchase their pigsdirectly from local farmers you – andyour customers – can rely on theintegrity and quality of the end products.Pinkerton’s pigs are contractslaughtered and all carcasses broughtdirectly to the modern and wellequipped Pinkerton’s plant forprocessing.

That plant is fully EU standardised,using the HACCP Quality System. Thatsystem, coupled with Pinkerton’s policyof buying only from known and trustedfarmers, ensures traceability. It is alsoyour reassurance that strict hygiene andquality control measures are in place

and are independently assessed;regulating what happens from themoment the carcass first arrives atPinkerton’s right through a range ofprocesses until we deliver our famousfinished products to your business.

CuringPinkerton’s is justly proud of its uniquerecipe and method for curing greatquality ham and bacon. Perfecting thatcuring process has taken decades sothe recipe and methodology arejealously guarded! Part of the secret liesin the time we take, devoting severalweeks to maturing the product in orderto develop the distinct traditional flavourthat is synonymous with the Pinkerton’sbrand.

Sliced baconCuring is just part of what we do atPinkerton’s and our expertise certainlydoesn’t end there. When the curingprocess is complete our speciallytrained staff slice the range . . .everything from back to middle andstreaky.

SausagesPinkerton’s Pork Sausages areproduced from fresh lean pork, cut dailyand made using our finely balancedrecipe. The basic technique forproduction has been unchanged forgenerations and the ingredients are assimple as they are wholesome. So whatmakes our sausages so special? Wereckon it’s the unique blend ofprofessionalism and pride we bring totheir creation.

DeliveryOur van sales team deliver qualityproducts using our superbly maintained,fully refrigerated vehicles. We believe ahigh quality product together with a highquality service is essential in lookingafter the needs of our customer, Whichis why we are renowned for our quick,friendly, reliable deliveries, ensuring theproduct gets to you in perfect conditionevery time.

Contact us on: (028) 3752 4340Magheraville Road, Armagh BT60 3PR

From our family to your business

Already in use in the UK, New Zealand and the Netherlands,the SelectaDNA Spray is proving to be one of the mosteffective ways to deter commercial burglaries and smash-and-grab raids. It can be fitted at multiple entry points ofpremises such as corner shops, supermarket chains,jewellers, warehouses and petrol stations, immediately targethardening any building.

Once activated, the DNA spray emits a burst of hi-techforensic solution onto the offenders. The solution contains aUV tracer and a unique DNA code, linking them irrefutably tothe scene of the crime.

Traces of the DNA solution can be taken from the skin,hair and clothing of offenders, and sent away for forensicanalysis to prove that they have broken into a particularpremises. Although invisible and harmless, the UV and DNAwill remain on an offender for weeks - clinging to fibres andsitting in creases of the skin.

Police routinely scan for traces of SelectaDNA in custodysuites, and if they find it, it could help Police to obtain aconviction. Police often know who the thieves are, but don’t

have evidence to convict them or link them to the crime.DNA is the link.

Brian Wilton, head of Arrow Group, Northern IrelandDistributor for SelectaDNA, said: “In these difficult tradingtimes, our product makes perfect sense as a cost-effectiveway to deter robbery.

“The basic system is relatively inexpensive to install andis a small price to pay to prevent an armed attack whichcould leave staff traumatised and needing time off work torecover as a result.”

Mr Wilton continued: “The spray can be integrated into anexisting shop alarm system or run stand alone with its ownpanic button. Warning signs and window stickers aresupplied to alert potential criminals that the system is in useand to dissuade them from targeting your premises.”

Brian Wilton, ARROW GROUP, Unit J, Annahilt BusinessCentre, 55a Glebe Road,Annahilt, Co Down, BT26 6NG. Tel: 028 9263 9432. Mob: 079181 34377Email brian.wilton@talktalk.net

DNA Spray Keeps ShopIntruders at Bay

A NEW intruderspray that usesforensic DNA to linkoffenders directly tothe crime scene isbeing introduced toretail outlets inNorthern Ireland asa highly effectiverobbery deterrent.

The prospect of even further development in thecountryside should be of concern to the shop owners ofNorthern Ireland. For every new house built in thecountryside, potential investment is leaked out of ourtowns and cities.

Through a policy of allowing even more ‘suburbanisation’ ofthe countryside, PPS 21 has given the go-ahead to furthererode the quality of town centres. The policy is not just anassault on what it means to have a countryside but an attackon compact and convivial town centres.

Ultimately, I believe this policy of allowing unplannedproperty speculation (the farming of bungalows) will be seen asneither helping town centres nor farmers.

Making it easier to sell sites to non-farmers distorts the realcost of farm income and food by drastically increasing the costof land. Ever higher fuel costs burdens farmers when farms arefractured. A socially imbalanced rural area will create conflictsfor the future. Farmers complain, and rightly so, about notgetting a fair price from the multiples but the real irony in thisapproach is that PPS21 only serves to strengthen the hold ofmultiple supermarkets. Out of town shopping centres andpermissive house building in the countryside are inextricablylinked to the lifestyle choice of the commuter.

Those that can afford to live in new rural houses tend to becommuters. They travel to work in towns and cities andconveniently stop off to shop on their way home. It is a relativelynew lifestyle choice, facilitated by the planning process.Convenient parking on the edge of town, along main ‘escape’routes is now the shopping choice of rural commuters.

The economic contradictions are obvious but have never beenaddressed in the debate about PPS21. We simply cannot have aliberal approach to out of town shopping developments and at thesame time expect vibrant town centres. We cannot continue topromote greenfield development when have so much derelict landclose to town centres. The planning process must recognise thata major consequence of bungalow blight is less vibrant towns andcities. And it is perhaps the ultimate contradiction in therelationship between commuter culture, one off housing in thecountryside and out of town shopping centres that our liberalplanning system (lobbied for in the main by farmers anddevelopers) compounds the hold that large supermarkets have ona farmer’s chance of sustainable prosperity.

If planning gives everything – out of town shopping, bungalowblight and greenfield housing at a time of so much urban dereliction– we end up with nothing. Instead of achieving a balancedplanning solution we send up with unplanned mediocrity.

If planning gives everything we end up with nothingBy James Orr, Director Friends of the Earth

Energia is Ireland’s leadingcompetitive energy provider, supplyingelectricity and gas to public andprivate sector customers throughoutIreland. Customers include localauthorities, schools, colleges andstate agencies.

The company is a leading all-islandplayer in the provision of renewablepower and has consistently been one ofthe largest investors in the renewablesector. Following initial wind farminvestments in 2003 inDerry, Energia invested a significant £650million in 2006 to support thedevelopment of over 165 MW of windfarms throughoutIreland. Energia currently has over220MW of operational windfarms, and a

further 400 MW in development over thenext 3 years.

The company recently signed apreliminary off-take agreement topurchase the electricity generated fromthe pioneering Wave Energy Converterbeing operated by US firm Ocean EnergySystems (OES) off Belmullet, Co Mayo.

Through this renewable energyportfolio, Energia is eliminating over300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a yearfrom the Irish atmosphere – the equivalentof removing the emissions of over 45,000cars from our roads. In this way, Energia’soperations make a very strongcontribution to carbon reduction by itselectricity customers. These figures willincrease significantly in the years aheadas further green projects come on stream.

Energia also sources conventionalpower from the Group’s modern, gasfired power stations in north Dublin,where the company has invested £500million in the capability to supply up to17% of electricity requirements on an all-island basis.

Energia has a 25% market share ofthe business electricity market on anall–island basis with over 50,000customers. The company also suppliesone third of all gas consumed in Irelandby the country’s largest industrial andcommercial gas users.

Energia has offices in Dublin, Galway,Cork, Belfast and Omagh.

For more information see:www.energia.ie or call 1850 363 744

www.foe.co.uk

Culmore Organic Farm wasestablished in 2008, with the purposeof marketing organic beef to localconsumers, as well as supplying somelocal resturants with a high quality, dryaged beef. To date we have enjoyed asteady local market, along with thebusiness of Arbutus Resturant inKilrea, who have ever increasingrequests for our beef. The proprieter,Barry Dallat, is a ‘Taste of Ulster’ chef,and is always looking for a uniquedish. Barry also runs cookery classesfor local ladies (and gentlemen) andfollowing the classes, brings hisstudents to our farm to let tham seewhere the beef is produced.

At Culmore Organic Farm, we followclosely the organic ethos of high animalwelfare, and sustainability. We are alsocommitted to lowerimg our carbonfootprint where possible, and to this endwe have undertaken two projects recently.

Just over a year ago we installed amedium sized wind turbine, whichproduces more electricity than we canuse in a year (over 70,000 units in yearone).

We also have a twenty acre, managedhardwood forest, planted in 1994, whichsequesters large amounts of carbonannually.

On the same principle, we have alocal abbatoir licensed to slaughter ourbeef, and a local butcher does all themeat preparation and packaging. In totalour beef travels less than twenty five milesduring this whole process. This is auniquely low food miles figure for anyfood.

With declining financial returns in the

agricultural sector, we recently looked atgrowing organic potatoes, and now havefour years experience with this crop. Sofar results have been most encouraging,and the potental problems of low yields,and potato blight, have not materialised.This year we have over twenty acres ofpotatoes planted, with one new varietywhich has a very high natural resistanceto blight. Crops are looking very healthyat present.

Our vision for the future is that we willsoon be able to offer ready to cook,organic meals which will incorporatemainly Culmore Organic Farm produce.One example is an organic shepherd’spie, to serve one or two people, and thiswill be aimed at the discerning youngcouples, who are both working, but stillwant a convenient organic meal.

Another area we hope to address isthe production of organic vegetables,possibly on a ‘pick your own’ system.This will allow customers access to highquality fresh organic vegetables, at anaffordable price. This project will be linkedto a ‘grow your own’ organic vegetablesystem, where customers can haveaccess to their own plots or allotments onour fields, to grow their own vegetables.

Another project recently undertakenwas the establishment of three acres oforchards, using traditional Irish apple andpear varieties, which are highly diseaseresistant, allowing us freedom from anychemical sprays. These trees are alreadyproducing limited amounts of fruit, some ofwhich can be seen on our website images.

www.culmoreorganicfarm.com

Annual General Meeting

Culmore Organic Farm By David Laughlin

David Laughlin, Michelle Shirlow and Alene Foster at the Balmoral Show

The tenth Annual General Meeting of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association will take place on

Wednesday 13th October 2010 at 9.30am, Stormont Hotel, Belfast.

The business of the Annual General Meeting will be as follows:• Chairman’s introduction and welcome • Chief Executive’s Report• Presentation of Annual Accounts • Appointment of Auditors • Any other business

If you plan to be there, please let us know in advance - Tel: (028) 9022 0004 Fax: (028) 9022 0005Email: lisa.mcmaster@niirta.com

NIIRTABenefits of Membership

Do you have a News Story? Contact NIIRTA with the detailsand we’ll cover it if we can!

What is NIIRTA?It’s not just a lobbying body – it’sa trade association with anexcellent range of services andbenefits available to members.

What can NIIRTA do for you?NIIRTA can provide retailers withadvice on a whole range ofissues – from rates reductionsand car parking to crimeprevention and legislationinformation.

Here’s a list of what’s onoffer from NIIRTA...

NIIRTA News – a regularupdate on issues affecting you!

Public Affairs – NIIRTA is thevoice at Government level on allissues affecting your business

NIIRTA Advice Helpline –Available 9.00-5.00 – Monday toFriday – for specific advice onemployment and other issues.

BUPA Healthcare – available toall members and staff – Tel: 0800328 3654

HCMA – a sickness and injuryscheme similar to BUPA –contact NIIRTA for details ortelephone 01423 866985 (andquote NIIRTA).

Willis Insurance – Propertyinsurance at competitive rates –Contact NIIRTA or Ian McClureat Willis Insurance – 028 90895068 and mobile 07961 453303

Willis Insurance Brokers –Contact NIIRTA or DavidDempster at Willis Insurance –028 9032 9042 or email:davidd@willisinsurance.co.uk

Vehicle Leasing – FleetFinancial are offering membersvehicle leasing with 18 per centdiscount – contact FleetFinancial or NIIRTA

XACT – Health & Safety/FoodManagement System availableat competitive rates – ‘NoObligation’ audit facility availableto NIIRTA members. ContactXact on 0845 665 3006.

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Local traders have established a newtraders group in Ballyhackamore, EastBelfast. The organisation was set uprecently to put Ballyhackamore firmly on theeconomic map and in a bid to rebuild,regenerate and rejuvenate the area.

The business owners invited all localpoliticians to their committee meeting to listento the concerns of businesses in the area andask for the help, advice and support from thelocal constituents.

Brenda Shankey, Chair of the Associationsaid:

“We are delighted that so many localpoliticians could take time out of their busyschedules to join us for our launch andhopefully this is just the beginning of anengagement process which will benefit thebusiness people of Ballyhackamore.

“We all know that 2009 was a hard yearfor retailers and we are here to support anddraw on each others skills to make 2010 asuccess for business and the area. I wouldlike to thank all the candidates for taking thetime to meet with us.

“As businesses owners inBallyhackamore, we have many plans whichwe would like to implement but need the help

and direction of all the elected representatives.“Ballyhackamore is a thriving village but

has suffered during the recession and thebusiness owners are joining forces tostrengthen the local economy, provide moreemployment, provide a safer, cleaner place toshop, visit and live and attract visitors to thearea.”

The Association has an ambitious ‘wish-list’ which it took to the candidates, includingideas for cleaning up the local area andworking together to encourage futureinvestment.

All the politicians in attendance at themeeting pledged their complete support withthe requests from the businesses.

East Belfast Alliance MP Naomi Longsaid: “As a local resident and electedrepresentative for the area I wholeheartedlywelcome the formation of thisgroup. Ballyhackamore is already a greatplace to live and work, but has real potentialto develop further into a key hub for the city. I actively support the association’s vision of aunited, safe and flourishing community inwhich all people are welcome to live, workand visit. I am confident that by workingtogether we can achieve this aim.”

Ballyhackmore Traders Launch New Group

Brenda Shankey, Chair of Ballyhackmore Traders Group with Naomi Long MP, First Minister PeterRobinson MLA, Robin Newton MLA, Lord Wallace Brown MLA and George Dorrian, FSB PolicyOfficer at the launch of the new group in East Belfast

The Northern Ireland IndependentRetail Trade Association has urged theNI Executive not to make any cutswhich could slow down NorthernIreland’s recovery. Its call comes afterthe Chancellor announced £128 millionof further cuts in the NI Executive’sbudget on top of the existing £393million.

NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Robertssaid: “The Northern Ireland Executive isnow facing over half a billion in cuts to itsbudget as a result of the Chancellor’sannouncement this morning. Our localministers are now facing tough choicesabout where the axe will fall”

“If the wrong decisions are made thenwe face the prospect of stalling ouralready very fragile recovery, particularlygiven Northern Ireland’s high dependencyon the public sector”

“We would urge Ministers to ringfencefunding on Economic Regenerationprojects as it is our local businesses whichwill help steer us out of recession bycontributing more jobs and therefore moretaxation to the exchequer”

“If Ministers are looking for savings, thebest place to start is the large number ofquangos we have in Northern Ireland.Axing or merging a number of them couldwell result in significant savings”

NIIRTA Urges Executive Caution on £128 Million Cuts

The Northern Ireland IndependentRetail Trade Association has calledupon Environment Minister EdwinPoots to immediately publish draftPolicy Planning Statement 5 (PPS5)after the High Court dismissed a legalbid from the owners of RushmereShopping Centre to stop the DOEfrom making it in to law.

Draft PPS5 which was due to bepublished seven years ago gives strongerprotection to town centres andindependent retailers against out of townmultiple retail developments. NIIRTA has

been campaigning for this for the pastten years.

NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Robertssaid:

“NIIRTA strongly welcomes thisjudgement by the Lord Chief Justice-it isvery long overdue and we call uponMinister Poots to immediately publishdraft PPS5 to provide a level playing fieldfor independent retailers and greaterprotection against unsustainable out oftown retailing which destroys more jobsthan it creates”

“The publication of draft PPS5 has

been the number one policy priority forNIIRTA for most of the past decade andit will go a long way to providing a towncentre first focus for the multiple retailapplications.”

“Draft PPS5 has all party support inthe Assembly and the Executive has inrecent weeks indicated that it is a priority.We hope that they will move very quicklyon this”

“Given that we have 12 major out oftown applications which come to nearly one million square ft we urgently needthis new policy to be published”

The exhibition is part of the BelfastChildren’s Festival. It is the first of its kindand makes good use of shop premises,which would otherwise lie empty. TheCardboard Cities exhibition in a shop inCastle Lane was arranged by anorganisation called Out of Place.

The PLACE project was establishedin 2004 by the Royal Society of UlsterArchitects and Belfast City Council. Itdevelops a wide programme of work inall sorts of different spheres of workincluding education, design competitions,exhibitions, debates, and many otherimportant areas.

Opening the exhibition, the Ministersaid: “The intention of this project is to

bring life to parts of the city or othertowns in Northern Ireland – in areas thatmay be struggling to find tenants to fill allthe shops. Although the exhibition itself isa fun idea it has a serious purpose inpreventing a downward spiral of declinein once thriving commercial areas.”

Minister Wilson highlighted theimportance of the rating of vacant non-domestic property in freeing upcommercial property for new ventures:“The utilisation of empty commercialproperty was at the heart of the policydecision in 2004 to introduce non-domestic vacant rating into the NorthernIreland rating system. One of the keyobjectives of that policy, which I fully

endorse, was to encourage vacantproperty to be used positively, asopposed to lying vacant.

The legislation implementing thepolicy of non-domestic vacant ratingprovided for the payment of rates at 50%of the full occupied rate assessment onunoccupied non-domestic property from1 April 2004, subject to certainexclusions the most prominent of whichis properties with a rateable NAV of lessthan £2,000. “Today’s initiative is an example of whatcan be done when the incentive is thereto get vacant properties occupied andused to ensure vibrant city and towncentres.”

Wilson welcomes initiative to revitalise city centresFinance Minister, Sammy Wilson visited an arts exhibition recently andexplained how it was helping revitalise Belfast city centre.

NIIRTA welcomes Court Judgement on Draft PPS5

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ThinkGlobal- Buy Local!EcoShow Live is an exciting new eventfor consumers and businesses inNorthern Ireland. Taking the health ofthe environment and ourselves as thetheme, exhibitors are increasinglyaware of the profit in and value of thelow carbon economy, whilst visitors willbe able to find out how they can followand benefit from a healthier lifestyle.Good news for the well being of ourlocal economy - and also the planet.With an emphasis on the value andquality of local products and servicesfor both business and home, exhibitorsare able to deliver a very positivemessage. By buying locally, consumersreduce the need for imports, savingexpensive carbon miles.

Divided into seven Zones covering Food, Business, Health andLifestyle, Transport, House and Home, Energy and finallyInformation, there is something of interest for everyone as aprivate individual and householder, as well as from a businessperspective. A minimum attendance of 20,000+ is expected andeach zone has a major sponsor, many of whom are Governmentagencies or multi national companies with access to consumersfrom all walks and areas of life.

At a time when budgets are being squeezed from everydirection, the low carbon economy delivers greater value foreveryone. For businesses, transport, storage and handling costsare minimised, there is less need for packaging and so waste isreduced, and all of these help to lower energy costs. From a

wider perspective, we are all aware of the need to help theNorthern Ireland economy become more self sufficient and bysupporting local industry, jobs are created which in turn result inconsumer spend. One of the aims of the event is to emphasisethis link between support for local industries and, as a result,improving job security and employment.

Finally, and most importantly, EcoShow Live (King’s Hall,Belfast 8-10 October, 2010) will be a fun and interactiveexperience with a Slow Bike Race, Celebrity Chef Challenge andCharity Clothes Fashion Competition, to name just a few of thefeatures visitors will be able to take part in. If you’d like to know more please contact EcoShow Live on028 9751 0252 or email: hello@ecoshow.ie www.ecoshow.ie

The Northern Ireland IndependentRetail Trade Association andBallyclare Chamber of Trade haveboth welcomed the decision byDOE Planning Service to reject theproposed out of town supermarketin Ballyclare.

Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA ChiefExecutive and Niall McConkey,President of Ballyclare Chamber in ajoint statement said:

“This is the right decision by theDOE Minister as if this store had beengranted planning permission it wouldhave resulted in significant loss oftrade for Ballyclare Town Centre and anet loss of jobs. Small traders inBallyclare Town Centre could not have

competed on a fair basis with such alarge out of town supermarket andwould have faced closure”

“Both our organisations opposedthis application, not because we are inanyway anti-multiple supermarket, butbecause we are anti out of towndevelopment. The place for thesetypes of store is in our town centreswhere they add to overall retail offer ofa town centre”

“We would encourage theapplicant to look at a more appropriateTown Centre store and to work withlocal traders and NewtownabbeyCouncil to achieve this.”

South Antrim DUP AssemblyMember Trevor Clarke has also

welcomed the announcement:“I welcome the announcement by

the Environment Minister concerningthis important issue. Many localtraders had feared that a large scaledevelopment of this type would havecaused serious damage to theexisting businesses in Ballyclare.Tesco is the largest supermarket chainin the United Kingdom andunfortunately history has shown usthat the bigger the store they open onthe outskirts of a town, the bigger thedamage to existing retail concerns.

I am pleased that the EnvironmentMinister has taken this decision andhas helped to secure the long-termviability of Ballyclare town centre.”

Traders Welcome Ballyclare Supermarket Rejection

Built on the strength leading grocery magazine Neighbourhood Retailer, the2010 awards will mark one of the most important dates in the local retailingcalendar, as retailers and NIIRTA members from all sectors up their game towin one of 16 individual award categories.

For the fifth year, Bank of Ireland will be platinum sponsor of the eventwhich will take place at The Ramada Hotel, Belfast on October 15.

The Neighbourhood Retailer Awards have recognised the bestperformers and the most sophisticated retailers in the trade, bringing to thefore the top grocery stores, CTNs, pharmacies, butchers, forecourts, off-licences and more.

This year, the gala event will seek to reward those who continue tomaintain high standards and professionalism despite the difficult tradingclimate, making the achievement of potential winners even more significant.

The Awards are open to all independent retailers in Northern Ireland -including symbol groups and non-affiliated stores covering a diversespectrum of retailing genres.

While creating a platform for retailers to shine, the gala event alsopresents an opportunity for all businesses involved in the industry to networkwhile celebrating.

The trade’s top suppliers, symbol group directors, leading distributorsalongside retailing business authorities will be out in force to support those

who have reached their goals in becoming the best in their field.The event will take on a similar format as in previous years, kicking off

with a champagne reception, an awards presentation that will break for adelectable three-course menu accompanied by fine wines and followed byentertainment from a live band.

As well as recognising the champions in 15 separate award categories,the event will also honour ‘Retailer of the Year’, sponsored by ImperialTobacco – the most coveted award of the evening. At the awards launch BillPenton, Managing Editor and Publisher commented: “I would like to take thisopportunity to give a sincere thank you to all of our sponsors and entrantsalike and I would like to encourage retailers who feel that they have what ittakes to take home an award in one of the 16 categories - including theprestigious Retailer of the Year Award - to get the ball rolling and give it theirbest shot.”If you think your store presents an award-winning pitch to the independentjudges, apply online at: neighbourhoodretailerawards.com. Alternatively, request an application form from Pamela Beers (028 90457457 or Pamela.beers@pentonpublications.co.uk).Sponsorship opportunities are still available, for more information contactStephen Staerke on 028 9045 7457 or emailStephen.staerke@pentonpublications.co.uk

Do you have the winning team?The 12th annual Neighbourhood Retailer Awards have been launched and the search is now onfor the top players in the independent retailing industry.

Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA Chief Executive said: “The Chancellor hasdescribed this Budget as ‘tough but fair’-but how exactly is theVAT hike fair in any way for small businesses and retailers.”

“It is a major mistake and one which will cost NorthernIreland’s small businesses and consumers dearly.”

“The VAT hike to 20% is a regressive move which will doabsolutely nothing to restore consumer confidence and get themspending again in our shops. It could well result in a further dropin consumer spend which could mean more unemployment andbusiness closure such as we have seen with Laser.”

“There is the further expense for small retailers of having tochange their pricing which could cost them nearly £2000 not tomention the considerable hassle of making these changes.“

“Hiking VAT means that low income families will be hit furtherwhen buying goods and services and reduce the impact of thetheir tax cut announced in the Budget.”

“Reducing Corporation Tax is welcome as it loweringNational Insurance Contributions for new start businessesoutside South East England. This is a positive step and we lookforward to the Coalition’s Paper on the Northern IrelandEconomy.”

“NIIRTA welcomes the move to decrease the SmallCompanies Tax Rate to 20 per cent which will be some help tomany local small businesses.”

“We have said that cuts were inevitable, but this Budget hascut too much, too soon and could stall an already very shakyrecovery. While it is crucial that the Government cut the deficit,we believe that this Budget may restrict business growth andconfidence and postpone a real and meaningful recovery.”

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen PatersonMP said: “Businesses across Northern Ireland will benefit fromthe reductions in corporation tax for the UK as a whole. TheChancellor’s introduction of an employer National Insuranceholiday for the first ten employees of any new business should

assist over 15,000 local firms. Reversing the previousadministration’s proposed jobs tax will benefit the economy andwill also save around £80 million in Northern Ireland. TheEnterprise Guarantee Scheme – which has already helped 133businesses in NI and resulted in £19.7 million of loan offers – willbe significantly increased.”

“In addition the Government has re-affirmed its commitmentto rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy to boost theprivate sector. Working closely with the Northern IrelandExecutive we will publish a consultation paper in the autumn.This will look at mechanisms for giving NI a different rate ofcorporation tax and other economic reform options.”

Sinn Féin MP Martin McGuinness has described the budgetas ‘damaging to the economy, with a devastating impact onfront line services’. Mr McGuinness said: “This is a bad budgetthat will damage the economy, put jobs at risk, undermine publicservices and push low income families further into poverty.Cutting public sector wages & social welfare payments whileincreasing VAT will further depress consumer demand, puttingprivate sector jobs at risk. If people have less money in theirpockets they will spend less and jobs will be lost.

“Reducing public spending by 25% over four years will havea devastating impact on front line services. This will hit womenand children and households living in poverty the hardest. We ofcourse will find out the extent of the impact on the Block Grantin October.”

However Ulster Unionist MLA Fred Cobain said: “TheChancellor had little to no alternative. The UK is facing thebiggest debt crisis since the end of the Second World War andwe are currently wasting more money on interest payments tointernational lenders than we spend on educating our children.To secure a sustainable economic and financial future we aregoing to have to get through a difficult period whilst rebalancingour local economy”

NIIRTA Reaction to Emergency BudgetThe Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association has given its reaction to the recentEmergency Budget by the Chancellor.

Contact name: Position:

Store name & Address:

Telephone No. Email Address:

Q1. If you own more than one shop, how many do you own? _____________

Q2. How many people does your business employ in total across all premises that are owned? Full Time: ________________ Part-time: ________________

Q3. How do you recruit staff? Job Centre � Local newspaper � Recruitment agency � Shop window � Store website �Radio � Word of mouth � Other � (Please specify) ____________________________________

Q4. How serious a problem for your business is… a) Recruiting staff b) Retaining staffVery serious � �

Serious � �Not very serious � �Not at all serious � �

Q5. Do you find it difficult to recruit staff with the right skills? Yes � No �

Q6. Which of the following are difficult to find in staff, and which are most important to your business??Hard to Find Most Important

Able to work on own initiative � �Accuracy/attention to detail � �

Basic Maths skills � �Basic English skills � �

Basic computer skills � �Customer service skills � �

Problem Solving � �Product knowledge � �

Team working � �Timekeeping � �

Verbal Communication � �Written Communication � �

Q7. Which, if any, of the following do you have in your business? A budget for training expenditure � Annual performance review for all employees � Formal job descriptions for all staff �

Q8. Which of these different sorts of employee training and development do you use in your company? (Tick all that apply)

Accredited/Formal qualifications � Job rotation � Coaching � Job shadowing � Online-learning �External placement/secondment � Training delivered by your own staff � Mentoring � Manuals/workbook �Videos/workbook � Training at local Further Education college � Training by external private provider (not college) �Training in-store by external trainers � Training on-the-job by equipment suppliers �Other � (Please specify) _______________________________________

Q9. Are there any other comments you would like to make about people and skills issues generally?

Can we contact you to discuss your answers further? Yes � No �Please return completed survey to: Lisa McMaster, NIIRTA, 261-263 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 3GG

In the last edition of NIIRTA News, Noel Ferguson, NationalManager for Northern Ireland for Skillsmart Retail outlinedplans to work closely with NIIRTA in addressing the skillsneeds of the membership. “Skillsmart Retail undertakesresearch across the whole retail sector in NI. Independentretailers find themselves in a difficult market position andface varied challenges. Skills to face such challenges arevital, both for owners, managers and staff alike.”

In the coming months NIIRTA and Skillsmart Retail will beforming a working group to develop a skills strategy forindependent retailers. In order to gain an initial understanding ofthe skills needs of independent retailers all members are askedto complete and return the Skills Survey below. A summary ofthe results will be shared in a future NIIRTA News.

If you would prefer to complete the survey onlineplease go to: www.surveymonkey.com/s/88295T8

NIIRTA Retail Skills Survey