In a break with tradition, shops in Belfast city centre are to open during the July 12th demonstrations this year, the Orange Order announced today.
Tourists, shoppers and traders alike have long bemoaned the fact commercial businesses shut down for the annual Orange commemorations.
While the event brings an estimated 250,000 people on to the streets, cafes, restaurants and other outlets have remained firmly closed in years gone by.
The move to open the city up for business on the parade day, which this year takes place on Monday July 13th, comes after discussions between Orangemen from the County Grand Lodge of Belfast, Belfast City Centre Management, the Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Belfast City Council and the police.
While the shops will not open until the traditional parade passes through the city centre - on its way to the demonstration field at Barnett’s Demesne, near Shaw’s Bridge - they will be able to trade from 12.30pm to 4.30pm, one hour before the parade makes its return journey.
The initiative is the latest part of the Orange Order’s efforts to maximise the tourist potential of the festival, which they have re-branded “Orangefest”.
Belfast city councillor William Humphrey, deputy chairman of Orangefest, said: “The Twelfth is now a major tourist attraction in the Northern Ireland calendar. We know that as well as local people, there are many others who time their visits to the province to coincide with the celebrations.
“The County Grand Lodge of Belfast and Orangefest have been working for several years to enhance the family friendly atmosphere to the Twelfth and this has been extremely successful.
“The colour, pageantry and music of the Twelfth in Belfast is enjoyed by tens of thousands of people.
“We have worked very successfully with Belfast City Centre Management, the Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Belfast City Council and the police to bring about this major development, which we believe will be in everyone’s interests.
People will be able to enjoy the parade and take time to have something to eat in the local restaurants or do a bit of shopping.
“The Twelfth in Belfast has become a true festival and we will continue to work to improve the day for everyone. Last year, in conjunction with the police, there was a clampdown on street drinking and this added to the family friendly atmosphere. We will be working closely with the police again this year and we would ask all supporters and visitors to work with us, and the police, to make the Belfast Twelfth a very special and enjoyable day for everyone.”
Andrew Irvine, of Belfast City Centre Management, said: “Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, under the leadership of its President John Moore has undertaken a Herculean effort since September last year to drive footfall and economic life in the city centre.
“The businesses have sealed a very close working relationship with Belfast City Council and Belfast Visitor Centre and Convention Bureau to drive the city forward, now under the heading of Belfast 2009.
“A key element of the current campaign is to leverage the benefit of the extensive offer Belfast has in terms of events and festivals. The business community is therefore pleased to step up to the plate and play its part in helping to build Belfast’s largest visitor number event into a festival with international appeal.”
PA