‘Almost got killed’: Belfast retailer recounts horror of riots
A Union Bears sticker is seen on the window of a cafe that was set on fire during anti-immigration protests on Saturday in Belfast, Northern Ireland, August 8, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams
Belfast City Council has agreed to look into giving financial help to those businesses destroyed by racist violence in the far-right riots in South Belfast over the last weekend.
During a special emergency meeting of the full council at City Hall on Monday evening, elected representatives unanimously supported a motion condemning the violence over the weekend, as well as looking at transferring money from the council’s “Vacant to Vibrant” fund to support businesses that were attacked.
On Saturday there were tense scenes outside City Hall when an anti-immigration group and a much larger anti-racist counter rally converged. Numbers from the anti-immigration group broke away from the City Centre and moved into South Belfast, where individuals and businesses were attacked.
Police managed to stop far-right aggressors reaching the Belfast Islamic Centre on University Road but many were allowed to reach Botanic Avenue, Ormeau Road and the Village where there were violent scenes and racist chanting.
At City Hall on Monday evening councillors heard from the manager and owner of Sham Supermarket which was destroyed on Donegall Road on Saturday because it was a Muslim-run business.
The manager Bashir, who also represents and hosts refugees and asylum seekers into Belfast, told the chamber he was personally attacked by individuals on Saturday, and said he was nearly killed by people who wanted to “stab” him. He said masked men “came out of nowhere” just before midnight as he made his way to the burnt-out supermarket.
He said: “I almost got killed. For what? For nothing. For something I didn’t do. I don’t know what is happening with them. I ran away after I punched one of them in self defence.”
He added: “This is the third time our shop has been burned. The police come, they go, they take a statement and they throw it in the bin. That is what they do, if you allow me to say that.
“Nothing happens. People coming, destroying, I almost get killed, and nobody does anything. (They say:) “I’m sorry for what happened” – but I don’t want “sorry,” I want action. If I can’t count on you, who will help me?
“As a police officer, when you want to start your job, you swear you will protect every single human being in this country. That is your job, not my job. But nothing happens.”
Referring to the owner of the supermarket, Abdelkader, Bashir said: “He came from Syria, running away from the war, finding his peace with his family and children. And what is the result? He gets attacked, his business destroyed.
“He wanted to be a good civilian here- in Belfast. He didn’t choose to sit, he chose to work, he chose to be good with the community, with this society. To do something really good for them.
“He could have just sat and relaxed in his house, lying to the government that he couldn’t work, saying he had disabilities, like some people do, and getting the money from them. But no, he pays his tax to the country like a normal guy. We respect the rules.”
At the meeting the chamber without objection agreed to a motion which converged proposals from the Green Party and Sinn Féin.
Sinn Féin Councillor Ciaran Beattie proposed financial assistance to the businesses. This part of the motion states: “The Chief Executive (will) bring a report to 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 racist criminal attacks following an anti-immigration protest on Saturday August 3, 2024, with S,P and R to have delegated authority in respect of the decision of the establishment of a fund as set out.”
The Lord Mayor Micky Murray said at the meeting: “I have been meeting with business owners who had their businesses attacked and their staff traumatised, and with the Belfast Islamic Centre and the Belfast Muslim Family Association, who have a real deep concern about the safety of their community.
“This is a community who have built their lives here, who have raised their families and run businesses, who have contributed not just to our economy but to our way of life here, making Belfast a more diverse and welcoming place.
“Today I heard from a woman trying to make her way through the city, and who out of fear took her headscarf off so she wouldn’t be attacked. I think everyone would agree this is just appalling.
“I think this needs to be called out for what it is – racist Islamophobia. We have to speak in a united voice, calling this out and condemning the actions of a few who seek to control through fear and intimidation.
“As Lord Mayor I am convening a group of officers, parties, business and community representatives to discuss support for businesses and measures to improve good relations in the city.”
Select & Save, which claims to be the UK’s sole independent symbol group, has initiated the rollout of its new identity across its UK estate. Over the past year, the group has invested in its brand to distinguish itself in "an increasingly bland and static market".
Boasting the youngest management team among the UK convenience symbol groups, Select & Save has collaborated with industry experts to redefine its offerings for both retailers and shoppers.
“We believe that without good incentives for retailers, the future of convenience will fall in the hands of the wholesalers, who will ultimately serve their own interests controlling cost pricing and dictating terms,” said Founder and CEO Kam Sanghera.
The group’s new retailer package includes rebates of up to 5.5 per cent and various other incentives. Notably, Select & Save offers a Relief Manager service at no cost, allowing retailers to take well-deserved breaks — a first in the industry.
Store designs have been revamped to enhance inclusivity and visual appeal. The new concept features a distinctive layout with an upgraded colour system, assigning specific colours to each section for an improved shopping experience.
Sanghera added, “This is part of our wider strategy to differentiate ourselves in the market. As most symbol brands have now sold out to a corporate structure, they have no control over their wholesale supply. Once you do that, you lose independence, your individuality, and any negotiating power. We’re making the conscious decision to invest in, enabling us to grow organically as a group by recruiting retailers that share our principles.”
The first rebranded Select & Save store is now open at Calder Drive, Walmley, Birmingham.
Leading buying group Confex has added three new members, further strengthening its buying power and geographical reach.
As reported today (8), Ahmed Foods, A C Georgiades and Regency Service and Solutions have joined Confex. Their combined turnover adds an impressive £56.2 million to Confex's turnover, which further bolsters its strength and buying power as a group.
Tom Gittins, CEO, Confex said, “In addition, these three new members add yet more diversity to the group, which we all benefit from. By combining our insight, knowledge and expertise, it’s no wonder that Confex is outperforming other buying groups in the sector.”
A C Georgiades are a national soft drink wholesaler and distributor located in Morpeth, Northumberland and Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Selling to a wide range of wholesalers, cash and carries, groups and chains.
Chris Georgiades, managing director, “There are really exciting times ahead for us as Confex members. Our aim is to add more variety to our portfolio and to be able to communicate with the wider wholesale industry, so joining Confex was an incredibly easy decision.”
Regency Services and Solution managing director Jarrod Normie said: “As a business, we are really excited to join the Confex family. As we take the business to the next level, joining a buying group is a logical step forward and so far, Confex has delivered a stand-out service.”
Bradford-based Ahmed Foods is a leading supplier of vast range of chilled, frozen, ambient and fresh produce for the hospitality and restaurant trade in the north of England.
Tanweer Ahmed, director, said, “Ahmed Foods Bradford is proud to join the Confex buying group,” said . “We look forward to working closely with the central team who have been extremely attentive. We plan to both expand our current range and strengthen our supply partnerships with the support of the group.”
Eye watering increases to employer NI contributions in this year’s UK Budget, alongside a 77p increase to the National Living Wage (NLW), could add around £2,400 to the cost of employing a full-time member of staff, Scottish Grocers Federation stated today (8).
Convenience staff across Scotland worked almost 500 million hours last year. Over 55,000 people are employed across the Scottish convenience sector, many of whom fall within the scope of the increase to National Insurance Contributions (NIC) and the NLW rise, meaning that together the changes could cost retailers tens of millions in additional outgoings. Despite the planned uplift in Employment Allowance relief from £5,000 to £10,500.
With a nearly a third of staff working between 17-30hr/wk (18 per cent less than 17hrs/wk), and many on or near the NLW, thousands of additional employees will require employer NI contributions. Where they didn’t need to pay much, if any, before.
A recent survey conducted by SGF, for its annual True Cost of Employment Report, shows that 74 per cent of retailers are now working more than 65hrs/wk, just to keep staff costs down.
SGF Head of Policy & Public Affairs, Luke McGarty, said: “Despite many retailers working longer and longer hours to keep staff costs down and many stores struggling to keep the lights on. Together with a plethora of new regulation directed at small local businesses, higher employment costs could now result in the Scottish sector paying tens of millions in additional outgoings.
“There is no doubt that local stores employing local staff will have to think twice before taking on anyone new or increasing staff hours. In some cases, it could be the final straw pushing retailers to reduce staff or even close the doors for good.
“Most local retailers simply won’t be able to absorb the extra cost and will either have to pass them onto customers, or reduce annual pay rises for hard working and long serving staff.
“We welcome the recognition of the additional support through the uplift in Employment Allowance, but for many that will only mitigate the damage. Small businesses and local shops are the lifeblood of the UK and Scottish Economies, providing a critical economic multiplier to boost local growth. Now is not the time to be penalising them for creating much needed local jobs."
The Scottish Government will publish its budget on 4th December, and SGF is calling on ministers to act cautiously on any proposals that could put small businesses under additional pressure.
The Institute for Grocery Distribution (IGD) has released the report, "A Net Zero Transition Plan for the UK Food System", providing a framework for the food sector to achieve 70 per cent emissions reductions in agriculture and to fully decarbonize heat, electricity and transport.
Commissioned by IGD and developed by consultants EY and WRAP, the first of its kind report provides an independent, evidence-based view for how the UK food system in its entirety, can reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions in line with a 1.5degree SBTi outcome and to meet the UK’s legally binding national target.
Currently, food and drink is the UK’s largest manufacturing industry – it provides 4.4 million jobs, contributes over £100bn to GDP, and generates 30 per cent of all UK territorial emissions much of this relating to agriculture with significant contributions from energy and logistics. The report aims to inform and support further pre-competitive collaboration across the various sectors of the food industry, under the common goal of emissions reduction. It outlines 19 steps that the Government can take to enable this, with a particular focus on strengthening policy for agriculture and energy.
In the short term, the report proposes immediate action by industry and government to support the domestic farming transition and on a set of standards for food imports. Together with action on energy efficiency and low-carbon power generation and significant reductions in food waste, the report shows that 2030 emissions reductions targets are very challenging but achievable.
Kirsty Saddler, Director of Health & Sustainability Programmes, IGD, said: “This UK Food System Transition Plan is a first of its kind approach at unifying wide-ranging perspectives within the food industry around the aim of accelerating progress in emissions reduction. The UK food industry is deeply connected to the climate crisis both as a contributor of emissions but also as an industry that is dependent upon a stable and healthy ecosystem to grow and provide food for the country. All organisations across the system can make better progress, faster, if we work together and with government.”
The framework offered reviews pathways on both the supply side and the demand side, showing the contribution that can be made by the population through diet change, using the NHS Eatwell Guide as a basis. This report also notes the critical role reductions in food waste, particularly by households, can make. Halving food waste in the UK by 2030, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 and the Courtauld Commitment 2030, is estimated to remove about 5 per cent of all food-related emissions.
Catherine David, Director of Behaviour Change and Business Programmes at WRAP, said:“I'm delighted that IGD, with WRAP's support, is launching this report today, which marks a significant step forward towards action on greenhouse gas emissions in the food and drink sector. At WRAP, we are passionate about evidence driven collaborative action which is brought together by our Courtauld Commitment 2030. We hope this report, uniting the whole of UK food and drink, will help catalyse a fresh and focused phase of collaborative action on the urgent issues that industry must tackle.”
Ministers are getting under pressure to impose taxes on packaged foods containing high content of salt and/or sugar.
In a plea addressed to the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and the health secretary, Wes Streeting, representing 35 health groups, it is highlighted that taxing unhealthy foods such as cakes, sweets, biscuits, crisps and savoury snacks would generate billions of pounds for the Treasury and cut the number of people becoming ill as a result of a bad diet.
The signatories include groups representing the UK’s doctors, dentists and public health directors, health charities including Diabetes UK and the World Cancer Research Fund, and a senior figure in the chef Jamie Oliver’s organisation.
Anna Taylor, the executive of the Food Foundation, which also signed the letter, said, “The damage the food industry is doing to children’s health is the biggest threat to our nation’s wellbeing and future productivity and this needs to be reined in – urgently.
“The government must now get bolder, creating real incentives to force the industry to align with public health goals, further and faster.”
The health groups want ministers to start tightly regulating the food industry. They said relying on the industry to voluntarily clean up its act nutritionally, as the previous Conservative governments did during 2010-24, had not yielded meaningful change.
“Voluntary reformulation programmes for sugar, salt and calories are not proving effective enough, achieving only a 3.5 per cent reduction in sugar levels of key product categories, compared to the mandatory soft drinks industry levy (sugar tax), which has achieved a reduction in total sales of 34.4 per cent between 2015 and 2020,” the letter says.
Jamie O’Halloran, a senior research fellow at the IPPR, said: “Without bold regulatory changes, our food system will continue to fall short in promoting healthy lifestyles, particularly for those on the lowest incomes.
“Expanding levies to cover other high-sugar and ultra-processed products could be transformative, especially if the resulting revenue is used to support low-income households to make healthy food choices.”
A government spokesperson said: “Obesity is a significant health challenge, which affects 26 per cent of adults and costs the NHS £11.8bn per year.
“The budget took action to ensure the soft drinks industry levy maintains its incentive to encourage healthier soft drinks, and we will publish a 10-year health plan in spring 2025.”
This comes a week after Reeves announced in the budget that the Treasury was looking into whether the sugar tax, which came into effect in 2018, should be extended to other very sweet products, including milkshakes and highly sugared coffees as it is widely regarded as having been a success.
Earlier, a YouGov poll showed public support on such taxes as long as the revenue is ploughed into children’s health.
The representative survey of 4,943 British adults by YouGov, commissioned by food campaigners’ Recipe for Change initiative, also found that 74 per cent think food firms are not honest about the health impact of their products while 61 per cent worry about the amount of sugar and saturated fat in what they eat.
Only 13 per cent believe producers will make their food more nutritious without government intervention while 72 per cent worry about high levels of processing used in food production.