The Official Site of Sammy Wilson MP
Bringing East Antrim’s Voice to the Centre of Decision-Making
The closure of the historic Dobbins Inn in Carrickfergus is a very sad day for the town and another serious blow to our hospitality industry.
My immediate thoughts are with the staff who face losing their jobs and with their families at what will be a very difficult and uncertain time.
Sadly, Dobbins Inn is not an isolated case. Hospitality businesses are facing enormous pressure from rising rates, National Insurance contributions, VAT and energy costs. At Westminster, I have continually raised concerns about the cumulative impact these costs are having on an industry which supports thousands of jobs across Northern Ireland.
When I served as Finance Minister, I introduced the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme because I recognised the burden rates placed on smaller businesses. Government can take action when there is the political will to do so.
With hospitality closures being announced with alarming regularity, both the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government at Westminster must recognise the seriousness of the situation and act.
When a hotel, restaurant, pub or café closes, we don’t just lose a business. We lose jobs, investment, footfall and part of the character of our towns and communities.
Dobbins Inn has been part of Carrickfergus for many years. Its closure should serve as another wake-up call that our hospitality sector needs meaningful support.
“Alliance minister must decommission his weapons”
Muir, the worst Agriculture Minister, must go before he destroys one of our primary industries.
Does he not understand that if we don’t produce food, we don’t eat? And even if he wants to eat grass, the majority of people don’t — they enjoy their sausages, chicken, bacon and steak.
It’s time to back our farmers, not destroy their livelihoods.
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It was great to call in to the Marine Bar this afternoon while in #Whitehead with Sammy Wilson MP and chat with the lovely Lisa.
The Marine Bar Whitehead has been part of the heart of Whitehead for generations, and we are hopeful that we will be able to see a positive outcome that will see the Marine remain part of the community for many years to come!
Sammy Wilson has called for action on illicit tobacco and vape sales, which are now sold openly in town centres and in public markets in Northern Ireland, where the rate of illegal tobacco sales is the highest. 42.4% of all tobacco sales are illegal.
Apart from the loss of revenue to the Exchequer, this also represents huge funds for criminal gangs and the sale of unsafe products.
It also means that there is unfair and illegal competition for legitimate high street businesses, and many small shops do depend upon tobacco sales for an important part of their revenue.
Local authorities and other enforcement agencies must be funded and given the tools which they need to take effective action.
I intend to meet with representatives of the legitimate tobacco industry to discuss what action can be taken to deal with this increasingly illicit trade.
I am disappointed that Renewable Energy Systems have made another planning application for the Unshinagh wind farm proposal outside Carnlough turned down by the Department for Infrastructure in January 2024 and those who were concerned about the environmental impact of what would have been a blot on the pristine landscape on a very sensitive part of the Antrim Plateau.
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We were pleased with the decision which the Department had made and it is disappointing that RES, in pursuit of profit, have now resubmitted the application, albeit with a reduced number of wind turbines.
The whole point of the objections to this proposal was that wind turbines of any number were unacceptable in this area, having a visual impact on the landscape and also destroying this upland area of peat bog, which is the natural habitat for many birds.
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I remain committed to opposing this application.
I believe that it is not beneficial either to the local economy or to the environment and I hope that the Department will refuse it as they did with the original application.
I trust that all of those who objected before will be objecting again.