New town boss MUST make business priority
Retailers say official can’t turn deaf ear
A town centre manager is to roam the streets of Ayr for the first time in more than a decade.
But do businesses believe the newly installed official will provide their miracle cure? We ventured out to gauge the mood.
Ayr business stalwart, Jean Ingram, has traded in the town for more than 60 years and sat on the Ayr Town Initiative that disbanded in 2006.
Jean, 82, said: “Before the council can hope to improve footfall in this town, they have got to get business people on board.
“The simple fact is business people know what’s going on in this town.
“It’s all very well employing outsiders to come in and do a job – but they must listen to us.”
Lynne Martin, 51, who runs Mirrayr on Newmarket Street, said: “I’d ask this new guy to re- open the High Street to all vehicles.
“People are hammered for wanting to come into this town and park their car. It just doesn’t work when you compare us to other towns.
“The biggest problem is this council doesn’t listen to its own business community – hopefully this will be a start.”
Mark Kennedy, 51, of the Good Currency travel firm, added: “There needs to be more for tourists. We have a town rich in history and don’t offer visitors enough.”
And new gran Sharon McClymont, 54, said: “Independent retailers need a voice and there has to be more collaboration with business.
“Giving the smaller companies an input is vital to the future of the town.”
The simple fact is business people know what’s going on
Jean Ingram