OCR AS Business - External Influences on Business, Belfast Flag Riots

Last Saturday, on what should have been one of the busiest shopping days of the year, scores of businesses in Belfast city centre and the Christmas market closed while up to 2,000 people protested the flag decision. The protest may have passed off without violent scenes but when a city has to close its Christmas market temporarily it speaks louder than words about what is going on behind the Santa scenes.

This clip from the Telegraph, as well as this link from the Belfast Telegraph, http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/hillary-clinton-calls-on-loyalists-to-end-violence-16247769.html highlight how businesses have to cope with external influences beyond their control.

According to Joe Jordan, president of the Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, the recent media images of violence returning to Northern Ireland’s streets have been deeply regrettable. He is concerned about the impact they could have on tourists and visitors who had considered coming to Belfast.

This link from The Irish Times http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2012/1211/1224327731417.html shows how local businesses in Belfast, as well as market stall holders are being adversely affected because of the protests.

This is a useful discussion topics when exploring some of the PESTLE (especially the P) points for students Level 4 evaluation.