Shop closing after trade hit by events

PERTH: George Street stores blame council for ‘awful day’

Businesses on George Street have hit out at Perth and Kinross Council over Super Saturday, claiming retailers were once again left out of pocket as events happened across the city.

Independent retailers described the area as “an afterthought” as the street was bypassed by the festivities and used as a “glorified car park”.

Mandy Millar, owner of Revival clothes shop, said: “I had an awful day on Saturday, it was diabolical, the place was like tumbleweed.”

Maxine Griffiths, who has run Bead Crazy on George Street for 14 years, has made the decision to close down her shop due to the way the street is treated.

Maxine said: “On Saturday it was completely dead. This is another shop, which has been here for 14 years, that is closing.”

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: “Whilst George Street was closed to vehicle traffic it remained fully open and fully accessible to pedestrian traffic.”

Independent retailers slammed Perth and Kinross Council over the Super Saturday programme of events, claiming their street was again ignored and their businesses forced to take a hit.

Shop bosses say George Street was closed to traffic and used as a “glorified car park” for the support cars in the Women’s Tour of Scotland cycling race.

Business owners have long complained the street is bypassed by the council in city centre events.

Maxine Griffiths, who has run Bead Crazy on George Street for 14 years, says she has decided she cannot keep going due to the way the area is treated.

Maxine said: “We have kept going, saying it’s going to get better – but it’s getting worse and worse and, with the way these events are, George Street is completely undervalued.

“On Saturday it was completely dead. “The businesses need help. I just don’t think I can do it any more, I can’t keep going.”

Mandy Millar, owner of Revival clothes shop, said: “It was a wonderful event, a great day for Perth, but dire for us. We get left out and we don’t get consulted. Something needs to be done because it’s not fair. I had an awful day on Saturday, it was diabolical.”

Laura Wilson, owner of Whispers of the Past which has been on George Street for 35 years, said businesses on the street were being treated as “an afterthought”.

Laura said: “I have no problem with the events that were organised for Saturday but yet again George Street is totally ignored.

“We are right in the middle of where all these events are held and our street is always left out.

“We were a glorified car park for 45 minutes to an hour.”

Barber Ewen Anderson said he only made half his usual takings on Saturday.

He said: “It was great fun, the vibe was lovely but we also missed out because of it.

“A day like Saturday shows that you can’t pedestrianise this street.”

The Courier asked Perth and Kinross Council why more was not done to involve George Street in the events.

A council spokesperson said: “Huge crowds descended on the city last Saturday, enjoying a family day out, showcasing Perth at its best, vibrant, open and welcoming.

“Whilst George Street was closed to vehicle traffic it remained fully open and fully accessible to pedestrian traffic.”

Something needs to be done because it’s not fair. I had an awful day on Saturday, it was diabolical. SHOP OWNER MANDY MILLAR

Picture: Phil Hannah.