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Newry Chamber, Newry BID and Retail NI Welcome Council Vote To Reject Carnbane Out Of Town Retail Application

Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade, Newry BID and Retail NI have welcomed this morning’s vote at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Planning Committee to reject the proposed out of town retail application in Carnbane.

Matrix Planning Consultancy, Newry BID and Retail NI presented to the Committee this morning outlining their objection to the application. The Committee voted 4-2, with one abstention, in favour of accepting the Council Planners’ recommendation to reject the application.

In a joint statement, Newry Chamber CEO, Colm Shannon, Newry BID Manager, Eamonn Connolly and Retail NI CEO, Glyn Roberts said:

“This is a very welcome development and a good news story for Newry City Centre and its traders.”

“If this application had been granted, Carnbane would have been a competing city centre, drawing away jobs, retailers, hospitality and shoppers and would have caused incalculable damage to Newry City Centre. It would have had a retail impact on Newry City Centre of nearly 30% and would have been completely contrary to the town centre planning policy and the local development plan.”

“We want Newry City Centre to be the location for new retail stores.”

“Our three organisations believe that Newry City Centre has a fantastic future providing a competitive 21st Century retail and hospitality offer which is fun and family-friendly for shoppers North and South.”

“We need to build on Newry’s strong track record of being an eco-system of innovation and meeting head-on the challenges that Brexit presents to the city.”