Debate contribution: High Street Task Force
Debate contribution by Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly on .
- MLA
- Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 8 June 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- High Street Task Force
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5600440
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Absolutely. Tackling dereliction and dilapidation on our high streets is important. There is no doubt that that causes a sense of decay and decline in our villages and town centres. It puts people off from coming to sit outside a cafe — mind you, you will not sit outside a cafe in this weather — or visiting the various things that our towns have to offer. However, it is important to say that we have incredible businesses in all of our towns and villages. I often get the opportunity to visit small businesses that are doing their best. Many of them supply high-quality local produce or locally made products. We should be really proud of those small businesses, and we all need to go into our towns and villages and support them. Often, when we criticise the fact that shops are disappearing from the high street, we do not highlight the many that are still there and need our support. As elected representatives, we can highlight those small businesses, which are doing their best, and encourage people to go into our villages and town centres to support them.
188 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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