NOT SO MERRY…
Business slump for shops
Businesses in Stirling’s Port Street have seen a drop in footfall with the closure of the pavement and part of the road there for safety reasons.
The pavement and Port Street in one direction were cordoned off by last Friday afternoon, December 20, due to the risk of falling masonry at 75 Port Street.
It followed the discovery by Stirling Council building standards officers of a structural defect at the property.
A letter from Stirling Council to Port Street businesses dated December 20 states the ‘safety zone’ and restrictions ‘may be in place for four weeks taking account of the Christmas period’.
However, businesses in the area are concerned about the effect of the closure on trade.
The owners of party store Let’s Party,
which occupies the retail unit on the ground floor of 75 Port Street, couple Margaret Ann andDavidSmart,areworriedaboutitsimpact on their business.
Mrs Smart said on Monday:“This is one of our busiest times of year. It couldn’t have happened at a worse time. I can see us losing thousands of pounds in business.
“The more it goes on the more customers we will lose. It’s very worrying. It’s enough to put us out of business.
“Passing trade is certainly down over the last few days. We understand health and safety comes first, but we really need the public to know that we are still trading and while the front door is closed our side door is still open.”
Nadeem Abbas of newsagent Port Street News had also noticed a decline in business since the road and pavement closure.
He said:“A lot of our customers are older people from the King’s Park area. If they can’t get access or have to walk further they will go elsewhere for their papers.
“Business was certainly down on Friday after the closure and on the Saturday as well.”
The stores’views were supported by the neighbouring PDSA charity shop. Assistant manager Shirley Thomson said:“We rely on footfall a lot. We’d be expecting a lot more people through the door at this time of year. The place was empty on Saturday afternoon.
“We’re also experiencing difficulty with donations and deliveries being dropped off in the van. Donations are often moved around different stores. We’re having to walk quite a distance to take them to the van.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said following the closure:“We want to reassure members of the public that the council is taking every step possible to prioritise safety as well as access during the busy Christmas period.
“The city centre of Stirling is still open for business. There is no danger outside the exclusion zone and we are engaging with all the traders.”
We rely on footfall a lot. We’d be expecting a lot more people through the door at this time of the year. The place was empty on Saturday afternoon