Ironically, given regular claims of job creation by the major 'big name' retailers, a new report has said that 7,000 shop jobs could be lost if the growth in out-of-town centres isn't halted.

The research report, 'Nightmare on every Street', published by the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA), warned that over 700 shops could close in rural parts of Northern Ireland within five years.

The report said: "2008 will see the lifeblood being further squeezed out of the local economy, with further damage being inflicted on the small and independent retail sector."

NITRA Chief Executive, Glyn Roberts, said: "Out-of-town location by the multiples causes damage not just to the local economy and jobs but destroys the character of town and city centres, which is bad for the community and our environment."

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He said that Antrim is among towns across the Province allegedly threatened by the expansion of supermarket chains, although the town was recently boosted by a multi-million development in the rural town of Antrim has been welcomed.

As reported on 4ni.co.uk, the £5 million investment, which has created a major extension onto the Castle Centre and the re-branding of the original outlet as Castle Mall, saw significant numbers of new job opportunities created.

Overall though, the report's author Donald McFetridge, urged the NI Executive to publish a new planning policy to curb this growth.

The University of Ulster lecturer said unless that happened more than 700 smaller shops could close.

The report said a new planning policy, PPS5, which was promised five years ago is yet to appear, meaning that the current policy is out of date.

Mr McFetridge said: "I am quite frankly astounded that we still haven't seen publication of a new PPS5.

"Whilst there is an absence of action, the multiples are making applications, which wouldn't stand a chance in the Irish Republic or elsewhere in Europe.

"Far too much out of town retail development has already taken place in Northern Ireland.

"We have reached superstore saturation here and the continuation of current trends will lead to the development of food deserts in Northern Ireland.

"The Department must, with great urgency publish a final and robust PPS5, and until it does, there should be a moratorium on all out of town developments."

(BMC)