Primark fire: Belfast walkway opens to help businesses

A temporary walkway has opened in Belfast city centre, allowing eight businesses that have been closed since the Primark fire to resume trading.

The area has been closed for three months due to safety concerns after a fire at the end of August destroyed the landmark Bank Buildings, which housed Primark.

Primark is also due to reopen at Commonwealth House on Saturday.

The walkway reconnects Royal Avenue to Donegall Place.

• New Belfast Primark to open in December

• New plans for fire-damaged Primark

• Belfast shopper numbers 'fall' after blaze

The walkway is in the form of a tunnel, with shipping containers in place to protect shoppers in the event of Bank Buildings collapsing.

McDonald's, jewellery retailer Argento and footwear outlet Skechers opened their city centre shops on Monday, with Spar set to follow suit on Tuesday.

The landmark building was gutted by fire within a matter of hours in late-August

Belfast City Council and Primark say the tunnel will provide full protection to the public.

The council hopes the walkway will help to improve footfall in the city after it dipped in the wake of the blaze.

President of Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Rajesh Rana, said the walkway was a positive move and thanked the council.

"We want to remind shoppers that the city is a fantastic place to come in and shop and spend time with friends and family this festive period," he added.

"We look forward to a strong trading period."

Retail NI chief Glyn Roberts also hailed the new walkway.

"While the tunnel is not a perfect solution it does allow improved access for shoppers and for the opening of most of the businesses within the cordon," he said.

"Businesses in Belfast city centre have suffered significantly due to the Primark fire but we are confident things will improve due to the opening of the walkway and the excellent retail and hospitality on offer this Christmas."

Christmas trade

Belfast Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey told BBC News NI the walkway would provide a "great boost" for the city centre and its traders.

Work is being done to save the structure of the former Primark store

"We are delighted the access is open in time for Christmas trade," she said.

"We'll continue to keep the pressure on the contractor and work with Primark to ensure that... we can quicken up the pace to have the work completed."

She added that retailers in the city had already reported an increase in footfall since market stalls and a snow slide were opened at Donegall Place in November.

Work to secure Bank Buildings will continue into spring next year, which will prevent Zara, Tesco Metro and the British Heart Foundation charity shop from opening.

Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey hopes the walkway will boost city centre trading