Firms offered £25 voucher to get office workers back and boost hospitality

Belfast city centre employers have been offered a £25 shopping voucher to encourage staff back to the office.

Linen Quarter Business Improvement District warned the slow return of staff is holding back the city’s economy.

Managing director Chris McCracken said that while he welcomed the added flexibility and productivity which a hybrid approach can bring, the executive current ‘work from home where you can’ guidance was “past its sell by date and actively discouraging companies from embracing progressive ways of working”.

He added: “From coffee meetings with clients and after-work drink with colleagues, we need to see the safe return of offices so our city can thrive.”

Mr McCracken said it will be providing one voucher to each member company in the area, which could be used for purposes such as taking employees out, or buying coffee for a client.

Around 400 firms are located in the Linen Quarter area, which includes streets like Adelaide Street and Linenhall Street .

‘Sustainable spaces’

LQ Bid said it had developed ‘welcome back’ packs for businesses, including a £25 gift card which could be used across the district. The packs are to be given out by the BID’s street ambassadors.

A recent survey by Belfast Chamber revealed that only 12% of its members had their staff back in the office full-time and the BID said that in order to help improve the situation it had been working to improve outdoor spaces in the area. This includes a recently opened a new parklet for workers to congregate on the corner of Linenhall Street and Clarence Street.

It will also be installing a boardwalk at Linenhall Street to give opportunities for hospitality businesses.

And a major social hub at Brunswick Street, which is to open by Christmas, is to bring a container café, open-air seating and an outdoor stage and games area.

Mr McCracken added: “The reality is that the pandemic has changed cities forever. Our ambition is to create shared, sustainable spaces that will drive footfall to restore economic vitality and create environments for safe and positive social interaction – places people want to spend time.”

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