£MIllions lost, jobs impacted, local Businesses begin to count up costs of flood damage

FIRST Minister electMichelle O’Neill has met with business owners from Newry and Downpatrick impacted by the floods.

Posting on social media after her visit, the Vice-President of Sinn Fein said:

“Many in these areas and others have suffered widespread damage to their family homes and businesses and they need urgent financial support.

“In the absence of an Executive, the British Government must urgently fund a scheme to help these people.

“No effort should be spared helping everyone get through these hard times.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Valerie Harte, who accompanied the First Minister elect during her visit, said secuting a financial package for local businesses impacted by the flood was the Council’s ‘Top priority’.

“A week after the flooding emergency hit parts of our district the scenes faced by many of our businesses and residents are no less shocking.

“I know that so many of you join me as Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in expressing our solidarity with those affected. The heartbreak of trying to pick up the pieces – whether you’re a householder, a new business, or a business going back generations – is unimaginable.

“We know that our business community needs a major package of financial assistance, and fast. We’ve been lobbying central government and the UK government on your behalf and will continue to press all involved to make this happen. This is our top priority as a Council, and we have further agreed to write to the Secretary of State calling for this assistance now.

“I do not underestimate the economic recovery task ahead both in the short and long term. The real work of putting our towns and cities back together begins, but what has been achieved in the past few days does give me hope.

“The community spirit from all the volunteers, community and business representatives, and those providing food and drink on the ground does not surprise me but is still so good to see.

“The Council has been on the ground from the outset of this emergency working as part of a multiagency response deploying sandbags, assisting with pumping and providing further support in the Newry, Newcastle and Downpatrick areas. Over 300 Council staff have been involved in the multiagency response supported by Belfast City Council, Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council and Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.

“So far, our Environmental Health Team have visited over 100 businesses and received over 200 requests for advice and support from residents following the flooding through the Scheme of Emergency Financial Assistance. Today, Tuesday 7 November, 67 cheques are due to be delivered to residents and around 20 further anticipated this week.

“The Department for Communities’ Finance Support service, for example, is also available for people who find themselves in a financial crisis, including those experiencing financial difficulty as a result of a disaster such as flooding. The service provides financial help/support through the provision of Discretionary Support, Social Fund and Universal Credit Contingency Fund.

Information on all of the help available and eligibility criteria can be found online at: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/finance-support

“As a Council we are setting up our community drop in sessions for residents affected by the floods, the first of which ran in Newcastle and Rostrevor today. We will continue to signpost information from other agencies on our social media channels and will signpost to ongoing welfare information on our website (newrymournedown.org/flooding)

“In Newcastle, the recovery operation is complete; in Newry deep cleansing completed on Saturday, please support the many traders who are open, and in Downpatrick the clean-up operation has made significant progress and is ongoing. Please be aware as traders continue to work at their properties further cleansing will be required. Thanks to all of you who have joined this mammoth team effort.

“There is much to be done in the weeks and months ahead. We are with you, we’re lobbying central and UK government for the help you need and we’ll continue to keep you updated on the next steps.”

Newry BID Manager Eamonn Connolly met with Deputy Sinn Fein leader Michelle O Neill, with other stakeholders, and businesses in the flood-hit areas of Newry.

The BID is lobbying hard, on behalf of members, for a package of financial support to assist with the clean up operation and reopening process.

Eamonn Connolly said, "Newry BID conducted a survey amongst members impacted and to date out of 33 respondents the value of stock and equipment lost comes to almost £3.2 million; while the estimated cost of reopening these businesses is close to £3.8 million.

"These 33 businesses and the others impacted need urgent support as they must continue to pay a collective annual rates bill of more than £2.8 million; rent; mortgages; and staff costs for the 328 staff impacted. It is estimated that more than 80 staff in these businesses will be temporarily laid off, only weeks before Christmas, while closed or seeking alternative premises."

Eamonn continued, "These are only the figures for the businesses who have, to date, responded to the survey. There are many others in and outside the BID area who have been affected across our District. We need to see urgent support for each and every one of these businesses, which are the lifeblood of our local economy."