Mr Nicholson said, “Loyal Orders and marching bands not only hold a deep historical and cultural significance to a large proportion of people in Northern Ireland but now the economic and social benefits stemming from this are also clear. I was delighted to learn that the estimated economic benefit to Northern Ireland from the Loyal Orders amounts to nearly £55million per year with £15million a direct consequence of the purchases of items such as uniforms, equipment and the hire of buses.
It is also important to note the social benefits the Loyal Orders bring to the Province with most Orange Order Halls being used for a range of purposes by upwards of 6,000 groups and organisations on a regular basis.”