Spend in Oban to help local businesses survive

The boss of Oban’s leading business group has saluted the firms which have managed to remain open in the midst of the coronavirus crisis.

Andy Spence, chief executive of Oban BID, said those which had kept going or diversified their offer, had shown ‘amazing’ resilience.

And he issued an urgent appeal for people in Oban to spend money locally rather than online.

Many local firms remain vulnerable because tourism has been wiped off the face of the map for a major chunk of the year at least.

Small businesses need to be backed like never before or Oban could risk losing them, was his clarion call.

Mr Spence spoke out as Oban entered a fourth week of shutdown.

With the sun shining on Oban Bay and barely a cloud in the sky, the pavements are deserted save for dog walkers, hour-long exercisers and those fetching vital food or medicines.

Asked to describe the atmosphere in the business community, Mr Spence said: ‘Everyone is still in a bit of a shock at what is going on and they are all trying to find their feet.

This does have huge implications on a town like Oban which relies on tourism and is now telling people to stay away for their own safety – and that’s the right thing to do.’

‘What puts us in a good position to come back is the strength of the business community here. They are versatile and they can rise to the challenge, although we’ve never had a challenge as big as this.

‘We really have to pull together over the next couple of months.’

‘The most important thing people can do is to continue to spend money locally and before purchasing online they should seriously consider ‘can I get that locally?’ he said.

A number of firms, from family enterprises to high street giants have continued to keep the wheels of commerce turning in a month like no other.

But in a crisis as fast-moving as the coronavirus, there are no guarantees every business will be standing by the time the restrictions are lifted or government grants run out.

Other companies have had to swiftly adapt their offering as loyal customers and staff are confined to their homes.

Restaurants such as Piazza have become takeaway firms and local butchers Jackson Bros and Wynne and Son had been getting orders out safely, said Mr Spence.

Oban was set to welcome 22,000 visitors by cruise ship before the lockdown.

Supermarkets and banks have also risen to the challenge, he added. In addition, accountants, insurance brokers, the BID group itself and The Oban Times have all remained operational despite the pandemic paralysis.

Mr Spence believes Oban is well placed to come back but is crucially aware that it will take time.

The scare has wiped out Oban’s summer calendar of events, which was being hailed as the ‘biggest ever’.

With visitors expected from all corners of the UK and the town high on the list for wealthy American and Indian visitors, worldwide travel restrictions have sparked a flood of cancellations and postponements.

Oban was expecting to welcome 22,000 people alone from cruise ships docking over the summer – bringing visitors who fill the tills, help create jobs and sustain shops and services which could not survive without the tourism pound.

In August, Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 was due for a day visit, bringing a maximum 2,800 guests and more than 1,200 crew. The Bid4Oban group consists of 550 businesses which pay a levy so that the group has a pot of money for staging local events, bankrolling improvements to the street scene and waving the flag for the town.

However, the Bid4Oban group and the Oban and Lorn Tourism Alliance are now picking up the reins to be a conduit for important information and funding opportunities available to struggling businesses.

A £30,000 application has been made to the Scotland’s Town Partnership, which has been awarded £1 million by the Scottish Government to share with business improvement districts nationwide.

The grant for Oban will help the BID group assist with the ‘resilience’ for businesses and communicate which businesses are still open.

A decision is expected in the next fortnight, he said.

Tony Cave, chairman of BID4Oban, added: ‘It is essential that the BID is working alongside Argyll and Bute Council and other agencies to ensure businesses are kept up-to-date.’