News Release
Keeping Cash Flowing In Village Shops
Shops in rural communities are being given the opportunity to turn their fortunes around by taking part in a University of Ulster research project.
Retail experts say that the current global recession, in addition to declining populations in these areas, is a further threat to the long-term sustainability of independent businesses in small towns and villages across Northern Ireland.
The situation is so difficult for small retailers here and in countries across Europe that a multi-million pound research project – Retail in Rural Regions (RRR) - is underway to help local businesses in these communities survive and grow.
Dr Karise Hutchinson and Professor Barry Quinn from the Ulster Business School at the University’s Coleraine campus have been awarded 320,000 Euro to conduct research in Northern Ireland. They are on the look-out for five retailers in country areas to take part in the project. The three-year project is being funded by the European Regional Devlopment Fund and European Union’s Northern Periphery Programme.Dr Hutchinson said: “Local shops are more than just a business, they are part of a community in a rural area – a meeting point especially for older people and therefore they are important not just economically but also from a cultural aspect.
“A vibrant independent retail sector is paramount in order to preserve choice and colour across rural villages in Northern Ireland.
“It’s no secret that the neighbourhood store - whether it’s a newsagents or butchers - is in decline and it’s a problem not just in Northern Ireland; across Europe, rural businesses are facing closure, especially in peripheral regions.
“We must be proactive in supporting these rural retailers in order to help them survive, develop their business and grow in this difficult trading environment and, thereby, protect the long-term sustainability of these communities.
“But we need five rural retailers who are seeking to grow their business to come forward and take part in this project.”
Prof Quinn added: “We want to investigate the threats and opportunities facing these retailers. For example, how are out-of-town developments affecting small towns – are big multi-nationals draining the life out of local communities?
“And, what opportunities are there for retailers to enable them to grow business despite these threats?
“After identifying where the problems lie, we want to find very practical ways of helping small rural businesses to survive and grow.
“One way perhaps may be returning to the old fashioned multi-functional shop, where the Post Office is also the grocery store and so on.
“It’s likely that some businesses could benefit from training courses and we will be able to arrange these through the local agencies who are also involved in the project. We plan to look at every aspect of the business and find solutions.”
Ulster’s academics will work on this project with European partners in Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and the Faroe Islands.
Other local companies and agencies who will also take part in the project include Skillsmart Retail, Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA), The Causeway Enterprise Agency and Spotcheck.
If you are interested in taking part in Retail in Rural Regions please contact Dr Karise Hutchinson or Professor Barry Quinn at the Ulster Business School in Coleraine on 028 70323537.
For further information, please contact:
Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter
