Restoring the pride
Cambuslang initiative
Cambuslang traders are wholeheartedly backing three local women’s enthusiastic mission to reinstall a sense of pride in their town centre.
Mum-of-three Seona Findlay and her pals came up with the idea of using photography to celebrate Cambuslang businesses and the people at their helm in a bid to reverse the prevailing negative views about the struggling town centre.
Seona used social media site All About Cambuslang to share their idea of bringing traders out from behind their counters and into the view of the camera in an initiative that the whole community can enjoy.
Within hours, the social media post had received nearly 100 comments, all brimming with enthusiasm for the idea.
Seona, along with friend Marlyn Latta and her daughter, Morven Campbell – both of whom are keen amateur photographers – distributed fliers among local businesses, asking them to get in touch should they want to become involved.
Traders jumped at the chance to sign up, and many are already sprucing up their shop fronts in preparation for the community photo call.
“I think we have all seen old sepia and black and white photographs of shopkeepers and staff standing outside their businesses,” said Seona.
“I personally love seeing these and think it’s a great way to put faces to a business, and a period or date, too – so why not do this now, in 2019.
“A house is only a home when there are people you care about in it. So, let’s bring shopkeepers out, bring faces to our street, and bring staff out from behind those shop fronts!”
Among those who have already expressed their enthusiasm for the project are Main Street traders Jean Austin of card and gift boutique Pandora’s Box; salon owner David Lindsay, of Maestro Hair; manager of Hugh Black and Sons Butchers, Christopher Reid; Leslie Chemist owner Michael Docherty; and Robert Cochrane, who runs Speciality Cakes.
Also on board are Johnston Drive business owners Scott Chambers of DAS Vehicle Services, Robert Birrell of Birrell Corrance Funeral Directors, and Kim and Paul Colgan of Dino’s ice cream parlour.
Donald MacDonald, owner of Wheel Centre on West Coats Road, is also keen to get involved.
Seona and pals have chosen the afternoon of Tuesday, June 18 for the collective photo shoots, by which time the town centre’s hanging baskets should be in full bloom.
They are keen to see as many businesses as possible take part.
“There are some great companies here and some brilliant characters, and that’s worth celebrating,” Seona said.
“The internet is great, but it’s people who make a community.
“When you are born and bred somewhere and you can see it starting to look a bit sad, it affects everybody. We just want to concentrate on the positive, the good businesses that are here, rather than the empty units.
“We’ve got a whole lot of heart in Cambuslang and we want as many people as possible to meet some of the great folk that form our village, and enjoy the photography.”
Businesses that would like to get involved can contact Seona on 07541 990861, or post a message on All About Cambuslang.