Earlier, the committee was briefed by the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) on the Business Improvement Districts Bill.

BBC: Social Development Committee

Aodhan Connolly of NIRC said BIDs in England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland "have made a huge positive impact" on business in town centres.

BBC: Social Development Committee

Meanwhile, research by the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) and the Springboard consultancy suggests that fewer people visited the shops in January in comparison to last year.

BBC: Planners behind Erneside Shopping Centre extension