Town centre hell

Published 18 Feb 2010 09:42 6 Comments

Share this

PROFITS DOWN: Aldo Corolla has had to lay-off one member of staff PHOTOGRAPH BY JOE MULGREW

By Ewan McInnes

BUSINESS owners affected by the £800,000 town centre roadworks have said they are suffering a severe downturn in sales.

Although the majority of shop owners think the redevelopment of Cross Arthurlie Street will bring long-term benefits to Barrhead, many are feeling the pinch.

Some have reported that their sales as down as much as a quarter.

L'arco owner Aldo Crolla, 47, who has had his chippy on the street for 22 years, has seen his takings drop considerably and has been forced to let go one of his employees since the roadworks began last month.

Aldo said: "My takings are down 25 to 30 per cent on last year.

"Don't get me wrong, it is always quiet at this time of year, but this is a lot quieter than last year.

"I have had to make one person redundant, some staff have taken their holidays early and hours have been cut because there is nothing that needs doing - it can't get any worse.

"I am worried about the long term effects and hope I don't permanently lose customers to my competitors."

The other businesses on Cross Arthurlie Street who we spoke to on Monday included One Beauty Salon, Barrhead Newsagent and General Store, Barrhead Shoe Repair, Davos Hair Design and Central Cafe.

A spokesman for East Renfrewshire Council, which is carrying out the redevelopment, told the Barrhead News they beat-off other towns in Scotland to get this cash and said the long term benefits outweigh the current problems. He added: "While the work is going on to regenerate Cross Arthurlie Street, it clearly will affect some local businesses.

"But the aim of the work is to keep the street open as much as possible and closure to an absolute minimum.

"Our roads team do this for a living -they know their business.

"Local businesses should be absolutely crystal clear that we don't like road closures any more than they do and we wouldn't be doing this work if it didn't need done.

"We got [the £800,000] for Barrhead for two very simple reasons - the town needed it and it'll help encourage more business for local businesses.

"We'll continue to talk up the town because that's what helps to bring people, especially shoppers, to visit and to think positively about the town.

"The entire Better Barrhead project is about breathing new life into parts of the town and regenerating it.

"The global downturn has affected many parts of our original plans, but here's work, that despite the short term hassle, promises to bring long term gains for Cross Arthurlie Street and for Barrhead."

Council roads chiefs added that the work on Cross Arthurlie Street is exactly on schedule.

This article appeared in Barrhead News 17 Feb 10

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

David
Unregistered User
Feb 22, 09:16
Report comment

I feel sorry for the people getting sacked or losing hours. I lost my job last year because there just wasn't enough work to go round, and I still haven't found another one. I know they have to make the street look better, but maybe the council could have picked a better time to do it. There are enough job losses and things already without adding extra ones.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
Gill
Unregistered User
Feb 22, 12:08
Report comment

At least the road is going to look a bit better. It's a shame about people losing their jobs but you've got to think about what's best for Barrhead and a new Cross Arthurlie Street is definitely something we need. The road looks a dive right now and the town needs done up badly. Hopefully this will be the start of it.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
H McBain
Unregistered User
Feb 22, 16:21
Report comment

I wish these people would stop moaning. I know they're losing trade just now, but the street is going to be really nice when it's done. at least the council are finally putting a bit of money into Barrhead, and maybe i'll actually be able to drive down there without smashing my tyre off a pothole.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
tom g
Unregistered User
Feb 23, 09:10
Report comment

so we beat off other towns to get this money? Is that because Barrhead needs it or because they were running out of time to give it away? The whole thing could have been better timed, or they could have done the road works bit by bit over a whole year instead of having to close off pretty much the whole street over a couple of weeks. Then we wouldn't have this problem.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
holly
Unregistered User
Feb 23, 09:10
Report comment

its a complete nightmare!!! obviously the work has to be done and we have to grin and bear it but its not an ideal situation - especially when businesses are letting staff go. could the council not give the shops some money to help them stay afloat?

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
Jimmy K
Unregistered User
Feb 23, 10:13
Report comment

Its sad that politicians can claim hundreds of pounds on lunches but we can't even give our shops the cash they need to survive in the recession. It's a joke. The council need to do something - we can't let Barrhead die.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0

Follow @barrheadnews

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.