Prayer Insight: Belfast 2021

Last Thursday night at the Genesis:Belfast launch we were joined by Andrew Irvine who in addition to his role of CEO of East Belfast Mission he has experience as a non-executive director of Belfast One Business Improvement District and a member of the Executive Council of Belfast Chamber of Trade & Commerce.

Andrew led the group in sharing his insight into what is really going on in the City and produced these points as a guide to help us pray with more focus on the evening.

We want to share with the wider network so that you can also be praying for our city.

PRAYER INSIGHTS - BELFAST IN JANUARY 2021

Retail & Hospitality

Re-launching in context of:

·        Footfall down an average 40% across the City on pre-COVID levels

·        Online shopping was growing 20% per annum before COVID, this growth will have been accelerated by COVID-19 lockdowns

·        Many people have discovered that they don’t need to spend as much money every month and will want to hold onto improved personal finances

·        Many people have rediscovered and enjoyed cooking and eating at home.

·        Business Improvement District due for re-election

Developers and Landlords

·        Changes in consumer behaviour in 2020 may dampen demand for Retail and Hospitality units

·        Many office based business have found benefits in staff homeworking or ‘blended working’ (reduced cost, reduced sickness staff levels – staff reporting better work/life balance).  This may reduce demand for office accommodation.

Safe and Clean

Before COVID there was already consumer disquiet about:

·        City Centre Cleanliness

·        Open Drug Taking in City Centre

·        Begging

 A visibly reduced number of people may exacerbate the negative perceptions

Third Sector

Social Economy Business deliver a significant amount of government services.  Government has until now underpaid them, depending on charity to subsidise government services (eg. Homelessness sector).  These SE Businesses therefore hit COVID with no reserves.  They need government to commission services at a fair price which:

·        Covers all direct costs

·        Covers reasonable overheads

·        Pays some surplus to allow these businesses to build-up reserves for future rainy days

Strategically

The period of ‘Retail Led Development’ is firmly consigned to history.  With ‘bricks and mortar retailing already contracting pre-COVID, there is a need to reflect on the core purpose and use of Belfast City Centre.

·        City Centre Living – not only students but young professionals with disposable income.  Create a City Centre consumer base…  (the horse before the cart?)

·        Using family focused events to get people to meet again in public

City Centre Chaplaincy

·        Initiatives like City Centre Chaplaincy that provide local Churches with a channel to engage directly with people in the City.