FAO John Walsh, Chief Executive, Belfast City Council
Councillor Natasha Brennan (SF) Chair, Strategic Policy and Resources Committee
Cc Jim Hanna, Senior Democratic Services Officer
Dear Mr John Walsh and Councillor Brennan,
I am writing to demand that Belfast City Council fulfils its promise, meaningfully and proportionately, to provide programme of financial assistance to the owners of Bash Café and Sham Supermarket, as a matter of urgency.
These hard-working businessmen have brought jobs and services to the community, and in return their businesses have been destroyed by violent, organised racist actors. In both cases, the violence they experienced on the weekend of 3rd/4th August 2024 led to the forced closure of their businesses. In both cases, the attacks were the end result of a longer term pattern of violence and intimidation towards them and their premises.
At a meeting of full Council on 5th August in response to the riots, Councillors approved a motion brought by SDLP and Green councillors and amended by Sinn Fein as follows:
“Officers will submit a report to a future Special meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, as soon as possible, to establish a programme of financial assistance for the business owners who were impacted by the racist, criminal attacks, following an anti-immigration protest on Saturday, 3rd August, 2024, with the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee to have delegated authority in respect of the establishment of the fund.”
At a meeting on 7th August 2024 between affected business owners and Hillary Benn, Secretary of State, Lord Mayor of Belfast Micky Murray, John Walsh (CEO Belfast City Council) South Belfast MLAs Paula Bradshaw (Alliance), Deirdre Hargey (SF), Kate Nicholl (Alliance), Edwin Poots (DUP), and MP Clare Hanna (SDLP), the commitment to provide financial assistance was reiterated.
Since then, Belfast City Council’s actions could be characterized by dither and delay. After the delegation of authority to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee (SPRC), progress on financial assistance appears to have stalled. Minutes of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on 16th August quickly appear to have downgraded the package of financial support to ‘recovery efforts’ and ‘potential additional supports – in conjunction with other departments and agencies.’ The SPRC noted and endorsed Council Officers’ ‘proposed short-term approach to supporting the affected businesses.’
The Shared City Partnership, a working group of the SPRC, reported at the end of August that businesses could be supported through a range of in kind offers and breaks from business charges.
Council officers have offered information and advice on their pre-existing schemes such as Vacant to Vibrant and have also signposted affected business owners to legal advice and support. This support is not in dispute.
However, in over nine months no program of financial assistance from Belfast City Council was received by the owners of Sham Supermarket or Bash Café. This is despite the fact that SPRC have had the issue on their agenda no fewer than five times (August '24, October ‘24, February ‘25, March ‘25, April ‘25). Eventually at the end of May 2025, businesses have received an offer of a £4,000 grant.
I note that according to the Director of Finance’s latest (Q3) report to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in February 2025, the Council is currently experiencing an underspend of around £2.4m in a total operating budget of over £220 million annually.
I note also that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee recently approved a Council consultation on the following Draft Performance Objectives:
- Our economy: We will stimulate inclusive growth and innovation, help businesses to start-up and grow and create opportunities for more and better jobs and employment.
- Compassionate city: We will support our most vulnerable people to make Belfast a more caring, safe, and inclusive city.
In both cases, the Council’s Performance Objectives could be met by providing business owners with a proportionate and significant package of financial assistance to help them rebuild their lives. I urge you to fulfil your promises and restore the reputation of Belfast City Council as an organisation which can truly live up to its own statement:
“We stand in solidarity with those in our minority ethnic communities across the city, who own and run businesses, contribute to our culture and identity in Belfast and make Belfast an open and welcoming place to live, work and study.”
Yours Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your email]