Gradual return to normal in Callander
Informal discussions have taken place in Callander to plan the reopening of the town’s retail, hospitality, tourism and community facilities following the Covid lockdown.
Up to 40 people have taken part in online discussions, organised by residents Richard and Mary Johnson, and a list of suggestions drawn up.
Mr Johnson serves on the Callander Community Council but the initiative is not linked to the community council or any other groups.
Suggested ideas will be put to Stirling Council, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, and some to the community council and many organised by individual people in Callander who wish to help.
Mr Johnson this week told the Observer:“Overall, the aim should be to reopen Callander so that life for the community gradually returns to some sort of normality and all locally based businesses reopen. As a tourist town we want to welcome visitors back to Callander but the return should be gradual and visitors follow our local guidance.”
Among the short-term plans are the need to provide information for the community and visitors, publish messages welcoming visitors to Callander but urging those to follow local guidance, hand sanitiser stations in car parks and along the main road, new information boards including weekly information boards in car parks and Ancaster Square.
Additionally, it’s hoped that designated shopping times will be made available for vulnerable people.
Under the plans, there would be promoting of the town’s community spirit, including: tables and chairs set up in Ancaster Square to encourage social cup of tea and a chat; animal friends, with wellbehaved dog visits to the elderly and horse rides for younger people; and ‘Cheer-up Callander’events.
In the town’s car parks, it’s hoped that there could be a temporary suspension of car parking fees and additional public toilets in the Meadows car park.
On minor roads there would be a number of new measures put in place. Those would include vehicle access along Invertrossachs Road and Bracklinn Falls Road only permitted for residents and disabled badge holders, barriers across roads to encourage visitors to use the car parks and barriers across places where informal parking and camping might occur.