How does Arran’s economy recover from COVID-19?
Asks North Ayrshire councillor Timothy Billings, Conservative member for Arran and Ardrossan
A plan to ease Arran out of lockdown could see businesses opening to islanders first and ahead of any visitors coming from the mainland.
This Arran for Arran approach could give businesses the chance for a ‘soft’ opening as it is widely accepted that residents on the island, which has a significant elderly population, have a genuine anxiety of an uncontrolled influx of visitors.
Some businesses are already tentatively opening their doors, including bakers Wooleys, Sliddery Supplies and The Parlour for takeaways. However with tourism contributing £69 million directly and indirectly to the Arran economy, if the island remains closed, 80 per cent of this could be lost and many businesses could collapse.
What is of most concern is daytrippers flocking to the island. However, it emerged this week that capacity on the MV Caledonian Isles could be as low as 17 per cent meaning that only 170 passengers would be allowed on each sailing, although this has not been confirmed by CalMac.
It is amid all this uncertainty that a bid is now being made to give residents a say in an island-wide online survey which has been produced for people to record their views on a wide range of topics including, just when and how, the island should open up to visitors.
It comes following the welcome news that there has been no COVID-19 cases recorded on Arran for more than five weeks.
The survey has been produced by representatives from Arran Economic Group, Arran
Community Council, Arran Community for Voluntary Service, Arran Health and Social Care Partnership, Arran Eco Savvy, and VisitArran have been meeting online to discuss how best to move forward.
In a statement the group said: ‘Arran is an extremely resilient and caring island environment and the community is to be congratulated for adhering to the medical guidelines, and handling the situation in such a way as to minimise risk to others. However, following the Scottish Government’s route map out of the crisis, some restrictions on Arran will/can be lifted, and a level of normality will slowly return.
‘For Arran this is a careful balance between community, environment and economy, especially if we are to open the island up to others.
‘As islanders we want to enjoy the safety and beauty that Arran offers, and others will wish to do likewise. Indeed, Arran has a reputation for providing a welcoming environment for everyone, but any island-to-island, or mainland-to-island interaction needs to be managed, positively, responsibly and without division. It is vital that we appreciate and respect there will be differing views.
‘To this end, some key island organisations are collaborating on a proposed plan to take Arran forward and through the route map, taking account of the needs of the community, economy and environment, all of which help to make our island the special place it is. Whilst Government agencies will be able to provide input and support as necessary, it is absolutely key that they respond to the Arran residents’
definition of what is required.
‘Ultimately, if this plan is to reflect the strength of feeling on Arran, the group can do nothing without feedback from you, the islanders.
‘Everyone can play a central role in this planning process by taking part in the survey, and any further developments will be fed back to the community through the agencies involved and, of course, the Arran Banner,’ the statement added.
Paper copies of the survey are also being distributed and these can be handed into Bay Kitchen & Stores in Whiting Bay, A&C Cameron in Blackwaterfoot, Pirnmill Stores, or any branch of the Co-op. This can also be done also via volunteers through the community hub if that is easier – 01770 600532.
The survey is now live on the Discover Arran website but only for a limited time as it is hoped to compile the survey results after Monday, June 1. Have your say at:
Where does Arran go from here? Turn to page nine.
Getting into lockdown was, in hindsight, relatively easy. We shut up shop, took the computer home, listened to the news with growing concern, made contact with our neighbours – and waited.
We now have a route map through and out of the crisis outlining how we could ease the restrictions and get back some semblance of normality without risking our own and others’ lives. The final six pages have some detail about what could be allowed during the various phases, but after reading them one starts to think: ‘Yes, but what will that really look like?’
We will all need a clear vision on what all this means for us at home and at work. But there are two overriding factors that will influence everything that happens up to phase three and most likely in four as well:
Social distancing will be maintained – that is 2m apart with face coverings in enclosed places.
Public transport will operate with social distancing thereby limiting capacity – ie the ferry.
Anyone who resides on Arran knows the ability to travel freely on and off the island on the ferry is hugely important. Residents need to get off for all sorts of reasons and the vast majority of our businesses and trades rely on visitors for their income. Anything that disrupts this movement is of concern. Well it’s about to get worse than we ever imagined.
Michael Matheson, cabinet secretary for transport, stated this week that ferry capacity is likely to be less than 20 per cent of normal to allow for social distancing on the ferries during the route map phases. In addition getting on and off the ferry will take longer as we will need to have 2m between each person. Longer times in port could mean less ferries each day.
This raises questions about how many people will the ferry be able to carry? What will the new timetable be with the increased loading times? What will the allocation of tickets be? Will we need to book foot passenger spaces in advance? Will residents, supply deliveries, workers, healthcare, tourists get allocations or priorities? Will there be day trippers to the island?
We on Arran have been fortunate that the absence of visitors has greatly reduced demand on our essential services. Access to food is (mostly) easy and stress free, we can get prompt phone appointments with the doctor and a huge range of local shops deliver to our door.
However, as visitors boost Arran’s population, what impact will that have on services such as healthcare and food shopping?
A dramatic rise in population may not be a problem while the ferry capacity is limited, but identifying and understanding the issues is essential before planning steps for opening up Arran.
Within our business communities, work must start now to fully understand what the route map is saying. For example, what will reduced food serving capacity within restaurants, hotels, guest houses and pubs mean? How many breakfasts, lunches or evening meals can be served? Will menus have to change? What staff will be needed and will there be enough business to make it economically viable?
The answer to all these things will be different for each business, large and small, but many will link back to social distancing and ferry capacity.
The route map sets out the direction of travel, but what the countryside looks like along the way is not yet clear.
We must be pressing for clarity on each issue within the route map so that as we move from phase to phase, we have assurance the needs of residents and businesses are taken into account and that there is a safe, orderly and fair reopening of Arran.