Transport strike on Friday will go ahead without pay deal - union

A business group says traders are worried about a fourth strike by bus and train workers due for this Friday.

The Cathedral Quarter BID in Belfast said businesses were heavily impacted by last weekend's 48 hour walk out, with trade down about 35% on the same time last year.

The GMB union says Translink staff need a proposed pay deal from the government to stop the next strike.

Public transport was brought to a halt on Friday and Saturday.

Translink apologised for "any inconvenience" caused.

Business owners fear the impact of the strike action means they will have to close their doors come January

It said it did not receive a budget for a pay offer from the Department for Infrastructure and therefore could not strike a deal with workers.

The Cathedral Quarter BID's manager Damien Corr said of the strike: "It certainly had an impact - some businesses I've been speaking to are reporting somewhere around 35% down in business compared to the same day last year."

Looking ahead to Friday, Mr Corr said it was not going to be a good business day.

"Nobody in business is looking forward to this Friday after the weekend we've just had."

Trade union members from Unite, GMB and Siptu voted in favour of the walk out in November.

'We need a figure'

Thousands of people have been affected by the strike action, including school pupils

Peter Macklin, from GMB union, said a deal had to be struck to call off the next strike.

He added: "We would need a guarantee and a figure of what a cost of living rise is going to be for us to bring back to our members."

Speaking to BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, Mr Macklin said the impact of the strikes showcases the importance of public transport.

"Our actions have really demonstrated how essential public transport is and our members who operate that service.

"How essential they are to society and the economy. Mr Heaton-Harris needs to take note of that," he added.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has been engaged in talks with Stormont's largest parties this week about the restoration of the executive, with a £2.5bn financial package on offer from the UK government.

This would include provision for public sector pay increases.

But with the current plan to seal a Stormont deal not happening before Christmas, it's unclear if a pay figure can be proposed.

'It really hurt us'

Restaurateur John Trainor said politicians need to act

Owner of Stix and Stones restaurant in Belfast, John Trainor, said the weekend was a challenge, with the loss of more than 100 customers.

"We were down 20% in sales. It has really hurt us."

Mr Trainor said he supported the strike but was not optimistic about Friday.

"Politicians need to make a decision - get this sorted because we are all suffering. Failure to lead is the problem," he added.

He said that staff found it difficult to get into work, while some bookings didn't cancel their tables which caused further stress.

"People won't come out if they know it will be difficult. Christmas parties are pretty much over - so we will be deeply affected by it."

'Belfast isn't the only option'

Although the transport strikes caused issues in big cities, some businesses said they were positively impacted as people shopped more locally.

"We seemed to be picking up from the strikes and we are up from this weekend in sales," said Rosaleen Stewart from Rosie's Emporium in Lisburn.

"I definitely was worried but we were quite busy. I had a customer that said she would never have thought to stay in the town but said she would be back again."

Ms Stewart said with it being so close to Christmas it was too late for people to shop online so they needed to come out.

"I've closed my website because I can't be sure I will get deliveries out in time for Christmas and it meant people needed to go to the shops and Belfast isn't the only option."