Strike sees surge of shoppers flocking North

Hordes surged across the border into the North today as they used the national strike to stock up on Christmas shopping.

The AA reported traffic tailbacks of up to six kilometres, stretching from Newry back to the M1, which it said was unusual for a normal Tuesday.

Shops well used to bargain-hunters swarming in from the south described the surprise spike in business as similar to a busy weekend or bank holiday.

Peter Murray, manager of the Buttercrane shopping centre, said it was “like squeezing a quart into a pint pot” as the city tried to cope with the influx.

“We get more customers at the weekends and when people are off and there’s a fair few people off today – obviously not all on the picket lines,” he said.

“A considerable few of them are doing a bit of Christmas shopping in Newry.”

Mr Murray estimated about half of the customers at the Buttercrane during the day had travelled in from the Republic, compared with between 25% and 40% during a normal weekday.

Nearby at the Quays shopping complex, manager Cathal Austin said they were approaching capacity even while making full use of the overspill carparks.

“It is noticeably busier in the mall, the car park is noticeably busier,” he said.

“I would describe it as similar to a busy Saturday or a busy bank holiday.

“It’s unusual for a Tuesday but nothing we wouldn’t see on a public or school holiday in the south.”

Many public-sector workers said they were taking advantage of the national strike to stock up on groceries and goods but were reluctant to be identified.

Other shoppers were families of children who were off for the day as schools across the country shut down for the 24-hour industrial action over planned pay cuts.