Businesses consider closing at potential flashpoint site

BUSINESSES at a potential flashpoint for marchers and protesters are considering closing to allow disruption to pass. Fears over health and safety for customers are being cited among the reasons.

But many maintain the right to march and protest should be preserved, if it is done peacefully.

The Glasgow Times spoke to a number of businesses on Cambridge Street – where Loyalist protesters are set to come face-to-face with an Irish Republican march on Saturday – to gauge their views.

Every owner we spoke to was unaware that the event was taking place.

Alison Baxter, a 57-year-old salon owner, said: “People should be allowed to do it, but I think these types of things are inflammatory so it’s a shame these types of marches and protests continue.

“From a business perspective, damage to the front of the shop, and in terms of what happened in Govan a couple months ago, it’s been proven that they can’t always conduct in a peaceful manner.

“But if they were to pass by peaceful and a peaceful protest then absolutely we should be allowed to do that – for any march, like Extinction Rebellion.

“If we’re not allowed to do those things then we’ll never have our voices heard.

“However it’s when it actually does descend into trouble is when the businesses receive the fallout from it.

“From our perspective as well, clients getting into the salon, and their safety, or even if they’re in then if it kicks off how can they get out, so that is a concern and we may have to consider closing for that time. “

John McLaren, 63, who owns a barber shop said he believes the police will be “well prepared”.

He said: “I’ve been working on this street for around 40 years.

“There’s been several marches and things through the years in these parts but there’s never been any trouble.

“With there being a protest this time it might be different, but we just have to hope it all passes respectfully.

“The police usually do well covering these things, and if it’s anything like Govan last year they will be well prepared.”

A number of business owners we spoke to asked not to be identified amid concerns over any potential fall-out from the march and protests.

One said: “We will need to wait and see what Saturday brings.

“We only recently moved into the area so haven’t had anything like this before.

“But if there is any threat of violence then the council shouldn’t allow it to go ahead.” at

Another said: “We were not aware of the march and protests, but our main concern is the health and safety of our staff and customers.

“That being said, I’m sure the police will be able to manage it.” A third said: “If it is something big enough or high-risk enough that the police are aware then it would’ve been good to have been informed in advance by the council.

“But the police are normally do a good job as de-escalating things like this, so we need to keep the faith in that and keep faith in the good people of Glasgow.”