Alexandria companies impacted by six months of labor to regenerate the Vale are set for extra assist from West Dunbartonshire Council.
Nonetheless, requires a common lease abatement for small, family-owned corporations throughout the course of the disruption have been rejected by the main Labour group – who as a substitute say they may give attention to extra focused assist.
Neighborhood Celebration councillor Jim Bollan submitted a movement calling on lease to be suspended for household companies for the 26-week length of works, as he highlighted the case of 1 enterprise proprietor who made simply £13 in half a day.
It was estimated that the scheme would price £146,520 which might be met from council reserves.
Though Councillor Bollan disputed these figures, saying that he believed they included multinational chain shops within the Vale which wouldn’t be eligible.
Councillor Bollan’s movement got here after we had beforehand reported warnings from enterprise chiefs that some outlets could not survive as a result of disruption attributable to regeneration works.
As a part of a £12m masterplan to remodel the Vale, the enduring Smollett Fountain is at the moment present process restoration, the Most important Road is being reprofiled and the eyesore Mitchell Manner purchasing precinct is being demolished.
Nonetheless, the works are coming at a value for merchants, who've reported seeing an increasing number of folks going elsewhere because of the visitors chaos.
Sian Wilkie of the Alexandria Merchants’ Affiliation stated: “There's a actual threat that there received’t be a city centre after this refurbishment.
“Outlets are going to close. We aren’t all going to outlive this.”
And supporting small, impartial merchants was on the coronary heart of Councillor Bollan’s movement. He stated: “Our impartial merchants are struggling due to the masterplan works.
“I spoke to 1 dealer final week who was open between 9am and 2pm and made simply £13.
“Our companies have been already struggling popping out of the pandemic, however this has been a hammer blow.
“Between now and the top of the works we have to give them lease aid to make sure they'll proceed to function.”
Councillor Bollan gained the backing of the SNP group, with Leven councillor Ian Dickson commenting: “It’s very important that we assist these native companies who're prone to closure.
“Not solely are they locally-owned and make use of native folks, however additionally they maintain Alexandria distinctive.
“In the event that they shut down then they’ll be gone for good.
“It might be a mistake to regenerate the city just for the companies to have closed as a result of a scarcity of assist.”
Nonetheless, the main Labour group submitted an modification saying that council officers would start assembly with companies instantly to debate their wants, however that a common lease abatement wouldn't be applied.
Deputy council chief Michelle McGinty stated: “I’ve lived in Alexandria all my life. I store there and I’ve introduced my youngsters up there.
“Our modification helps native companies. It hasn’t dominated out abatements, however what it needs to do is speak to companies as a result of we predict extra than simply lease abatements.
“How can we assist them to extend their footfall?
“That’s one thing we will’t simply resolve off the highest of our head.
“Let’s do what we will to assist them over and above simply considering that a lease abatement is all that they
want.”
The Labour modification was carried by 11 votes to 9, with a disenchanted Councillor Bollan saying: “Labour stated they needed to assist native folks, however they received’t assist an opposition councillor.
“That is fairly clearly an pressing matter and it appears like they're kicking the can down the highway and that this can be a speaking store.”