Services sector back at pre-pandemic levels
Northern Ireland’s services sector, which includes, retail and hospitality, has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, 1.5% above the output level in the final quarter of 2019, it has been revealed.
Ulster Bank economist Richard Ramsey said this reflected “a staycation boom and the lifting of restrictions”.
However, despite a V-shaped recovery over the year, the services sector was still 1.2% cent below output before the outbreak of Covid-19.
While hospitality has rebounded with the easing of restrictions and a staycation lift, the “other services” sector which includes things like theatres and cinemas was still about 20% smaller than pre-pandemic, reflecting continuing restrictions.
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency figures show the quarter on quarter, and over the year figures largely compare favourably to UK-wide numbers.
‘Staycation boom’
The figures were releases as data from Open Table has shown that restaurant reservations picked up last month while credit card providers highlighted a rebound in social spending.
And it is also hoped the launch of the NI high street voucher scheme, which could put £100 to be spent on goods or hospitality into the pockets of every adult, will also give the services sector a huge lift.
People will be able to start applying on September 27 through an online portal, with the first cards arriving through the letterbox seven to 10 days later.
The portal, and a telephone service operating from October 11, will shut down on October 25, and the money must be spent before November 30.
Meanwhile, non-food stores in Northern Ireland reported a 1% decline in sales volumes, driven partly by department stores, which saw a 3.7% plunge for the month.
