Auchterarder business fears over Solheim Cup

Events: Locals say visitors put off by road closures and scaremongering

Business owners are urging council chiefs not to turn Auchterarder into a ghost town when thousands of people descend on Gleneagles for an international golf tournament.

The 2019 Solheim Cup is expected to attract more than 30,000 spectators each day, as well as around 5,000 staff and journalists from around the globe.

Locals say visitors have been put off venturing into Auchterarder during major events in recent years due to local road closures and scaremongering about traffic chaos.

Perth and Kinross Council and Transport Scotland held a joint public meeting yesterday to allow residents to raise their concerns about traffic management during the event, which will see Europe’s finest female golfers face-off against the USA in September.

Maggie Robin, owner of ladies’ formalwear shop Bear Necessities, said tourists were put off visiting Auchterarder during the 2014 Ryder Cup, leaving the town quieter than usual despite more than 50,000 people flooding Gleneagles.

“Auchterarder will be open for business during the Solheim Cup but if it is not handled right it will just shut us down again,” she said.

The only road closure will be the A823, around the venue and park and rides facilities will be set up in Stirling and Perth’s Mcdiarmid Park.

Karen Howie, owner of Forget-menot Fashions, called for closures to be kept to a minimum, to encourage people to venture into the town.

“When they have closed the roads for other big events it has been really damaging for businesses,” she said.

A statement from Auchterarder Business Network said the town had “little or no benefit” from the Ryder Cup.

“Spectators were transported in from park and ride areas or directly from the train station,” it said.

“Initially it was believed that spectators would be able to visit the town throughout their day at the event but this proved not to be so.”

It comes just weeks after Perth and Kinross Council was criticised for its “over the top” travel arrangements for the BBC’S Biggest Weekend festival at Scone Palace.

The council, Transport Scotland, Gleneagles Hotel and tournament organisers are said to be working to ensure “minimum disruption” to residents and businesses.

Council leader Murray Lyle said: “The Solheim Cup is estimated to bring £15-20 million in economic benefits.

“Drawing on the experience of the 2014 Ryder Cup, we want to involve local communities as early as possible in planning for a successful event.”

ecrichton@thecourier.co.uk