Is fest best for business? Shops clash over Paisley funfair
There were mixed reactions to Paisley’s WinterFest funfair attractions from traders after a massive Santa’s Workshop was assembled in the High Street.
The attraction is located directly in front of a row of shops close to New Street including the Salvation Army charity store, whose manager Allana Caveney blasted the decision to allow it.
She said: “It’s blocking four or five businesses. Everybody is walking past.
“We’re basically really struggling because they’ve decided to stick a big great ugly machine right in front of us.
Ms Caveney added that she had noticed a downturn in business since the attraction went up on Wednesday.
“Thankfully, we were all right because it was the start of our Christmas event so the hype was drummed up for a while, so people knew it was on,” she said.
“But my boss was over for a couple of hours and even she saw everybody walking round in front of it. “It’s just going to kill businesses.” Ms Caveney said there was no prior warning about the structure, which is so tall that it reaches the canopy of festive lights. “I knew nothing,” she said. “I literally turned up to work and saw it there.
“And I know one of the other businesses has complained about it.”
Ms Caveney said the shop’s area manager was going to raise the matter with Renfrewshire Council.
Joe Bisland, owner of the White Cart Company – whose premises are located on the other side of the High Street from Santa’s Workshop – remained positive about the effect this structure and the ferris wheel, which is being built at Paisley Cross, will have.
He said: “I think the WinterFest is very important to the town because it increases footfall.
“Yes, it does cause some inconvenience to some parts geographically but I think for the common good and the general whole it’s much better for the town to have it than not to have it.
“They’ve actually made it much more of an event this year by extending the market and the number of amusement rides, which means that it’s not all concentrated down in Gilmour Street and the cenotaph.
“So, the fact that they’ve got some rides at this end of the High Street is a very positive thing.
“Personally, it will definitely help our business because Santa’s Workshop will attract families and children.
“We will be extending our hours next week because I think it’s important to support the events. If somebody is spending some money in Paisley, they’ll be spending it with a Paisley shopkeeper.”
Winter Fest is an initiative of business support body Paisley First and is supported by Renfrewshire Council.
A Paisley First spokesperson said: “All rides and attractions have been placed in accordance with the site plans approved by Renfrewshire Council.
“All businesses were made aware of the plans in advance ”and no objections were received.
“We believe that all businesses will benefit from the additional footfall which WinterFest will bring to Paisley town centre in the run up to Christmas.”