Councillor says work will impact businesses

Green councillor for Dunblane and Bridge of Allan Alasdair Tollemache said this week he has serious concerns for small businesses and the voluntary sector over the Kerse bridge closure.

CouncillorTollemache, who is also a director of reuse charity Good Green Fun based at Stirling Enterprise Park near the bridge, says that many of the small businesses will struggle with their cash flow over such an extended period of closure.

He said Good Green Fun’s takings dropped by over 20 per cent during the temporary closure earlier this year.

He added:“There are many small enterprises both private and in the third sector whose margins are small and who rely on the trade of people from over central Scotland. The disruption that will be caused by the bridge closure in terms of the inevitable reduction in footfall in the Springkerse and the city centre areas of Stirling could be catastrophic for these retailers. I call upon all parties to come up with a solution that will be mitigate against this outcome.”

Jan Denny from Good Green Fun said:“People donate on average four to five tonnes of children’s items each month ranging from clothes to furniture. As well as being sold in our retail unit we work with other charities and recycling agencies who come to us to collect items to pass onto families, some experiencing severe difficulties.

“It is therefore absolutely essential that we are easily accessible for both people donating and people reusing.”