Indicators welcoming you to Alexandria describe it as ‘the center of the Vale.’
However fed-up merchants and residents are warning that the regeneration work that has remoted companies and crippled footfall is susceptible to killing off the city centre for good.
As a part of a £12million transformation plan – set to take six months to finish –the Smollett Fountain is being restored, Most important Avenue is being re-paved and the eyesore Mitchell Manner buying precinct is being demolished.
The work, which began in Could, will go on till at the least November.
However merchants concern they received’t be in enterprise then because the cordons and closures see them remoted – with commerce down as much as 40 p.c in some circumstances.
Limitations imply consumers can’t browse shops on either side of Most important Avenue with out prolonged detours, site visitors is backed up continuously and pavement area is compromised.
We advised you final week how the Put up Workplace is dealing with closure with proprietor Zunair Butt working two jobs to make ends meet.
This can have a knock-on impact on Lomond Fishmongers, which sits reverse the Smollett Fountain and is totally surrounded by the works.
Proprietor David MacCallum says he can’t open the door due to the scent and noise outdoors and consumers suppose he's closed –leaving him caught inside with no clients.
He had already endured overrunning works on the pavement outdoors his retailer, earlier than tramlines have been found beneath the road – including additional delays.
To achieve David’s retailer it's important to negotiate a maze of boundaries, and that hasn’t been the one difficulty.
He defined: “Section one was presupposed to take 5 to eight weeks. And we’re now on week 11.
“As a enterprise, you knew you'll be 20 p.c down due to the highway closure. However on prime of that, it’s been getting dug up outdoors right here the entire time.
“I’ve had the pavement executed, which took about 5 weeks. Then they began digging the highway up. It’s precipitated absolute chaos on the market.
“It’s been completely horrible.
“It’s actually laborious to say how a lot it’s hit our takings, however we’re at the least 30 or 40 p.c down I'd estimate.
“Some days are worse than others. On a sizzling day, I can’t open the door, which may be very heavy. Aged clients can’t get within the door simply, or they suppose I’m closed. However I can’t go away the door open due to the scent and the noise.
“I’m sweltering in right here and I've no clients.”
David believes that extra assist is significant, including: “The one factor the council might do for all of us can be to supply a set sum of money. It will be very laborious with Covid to work out what you’re up and down.
“If the council have been to say this has taken double the time it ought to’ve, right here is an quantity of compensation for every of you then that might make sense.
“I feel this may go. However whether or not or not I’m nonetheless right here on the finish of it stays to be seen.
“The Put up Workplace have mentioned they could have to shut due to this, and that might be a major problem for me.
“This a part of the Vale has nothing actually store clever, the Put up Workplace is the principle draw. Take that away and all you’ll have is an even bigger pavement - however no person utilizing it.”
Within the Fountain Cafe, the impression of the works was the principle matter of dialog. Anne Dickie, who has run Jimmy’s Playing cards and Presents on the Most important Avenue for 25 years, mentioned she fears for the long run.
She mentioned: “It’s hitting the enterprise badly. Our footfall is down about 25 or 30 p.c as a tough guess.
“If the footfall is down then earnings is down.
“It’s so irritating as a result of we’re not seeing how the work they're doing simply now shall be helpful to this city.
“They're placing these companies in danger to do one thing that we don’t imagine will assist the city. It’s a really worrying and traumatic time. The council have satisfied themselves it'll. We preserve being advised it'll appeal to extra footfall. We’re on the lookout for the proof. We’re on the lookout for the research that present that doing all this may appeal to extra individuals to Alexandria. As a result of we don’t imagine it'll.”
Native businessman Paul Cocozza, whose household have traded within the Vale because the Sixties, warned that footfall was as little as it has ever been.
“As a resident, it’s like a ghost city” he mentioned.
“The entire level of enterprise is to have footfall coming in by means of your door. Footfall now's worse than it’s ever been.
“I really feel sorry for the shopkeepers.
“It feels as if the council doesn’t have a plan.
“Regeneration must be social housing led, that’s the best way to go ahead. Deliver the individuals again in in direction of the companies.
“I’d implore the council to take heed to the individuals. Till now it feels as if they simply pay lip service to merchants and the general public.”
For others in the meantime, session was wanted earlier than issues received this far.
Anne added: “There was a session within the outdated Lagavulin Bistro. The night time we went alongside we have been handed battery operated lanterns to see as a result of there was no electrical energy. How is that a correct session?
“If the session was on-line then the council ought to keep in mind that a whole lot of our residents are aged and a whole lot of footfall within the city is within the
60-plus mark. They aren’t on-line to do the consultations. It ought to’ve been within the leisure centre and really publicly marketed.”
It isn’t simply companies who've felt omitted, with residents additionally claiming they really feel as if their views have been ignored.
Former headteacher Ronnie Thumath, who lives on Middleton Avenue, mentioned: “There’s completely been a scarcity of session. I didn’t hear a phrase from the council till I noticed the indicators going up that mentioned work can be happening from Could till November.
“We've got a brand new administration who deserve an opportunity. However the earlier council let the Vale of Leven and Alexandria down badly.
“The place is a catastrophe.
“Portray the shopfronts can be lots inexpensive, hanging baskets. Issues like that might be much more efficient than ripping up the road.
“Native companies have been completely hammered by the shortage of enterprise. Persons are not utilizing the outlets, together with myself. It’s too tough.”
And he worries for the protection of kids at Christie Park Major.
He added: “I can put up with site visitors as a result of I don’t have a younger household anymore, however there’s Christie Park Major on the finish of the highway. When the highway is at its busiest we now have vehicles going alongside Middleton Avenue and 300 kids all popping out of the varsity on the similar time.”
Rev Ian Miller, a Queen Avenue resident, echoed the feedback, saying: “I additionally concern that the restriction of site visitors on the Most important Avenue will trigger drivers to hunt another route by way of Middleton Avenue and Queen Avenue. I concern they might change into the Vale’s version of Wacky Races.
“The entire thing is a joke. Have a look at the place.
“Indicators on roundabouts and Christmas banners proudly proclaim “Alexandria ... Coronary heart of the Vale.
“I feel all who stay there or store there would agree that it's in want of a transplant however I'm not satisfied that the surgical procedure presently occurring on the Most important Avenue will enhance the well being of the affected person.
“Significantly when nobody has ever actually requested for the affected person’s opinion on the therapy proposed.
“The place wants brightened up, there may be nothing surer. However I’m not satisfied that is the proper concept.
“Will the planners not simply take heed to the individuals?”
Shopkeeper Anne in the meantime warned that additional delays into Christmas might pressure her out of enterprise. She added: “If we don’t get freed from it between early November and January then that can end us.
We’re a card store. If we don’t get Christmas commerce that can end us. All companies want Christmas commerce to hold us into the following yr.
“If we might see the advantages then honest sufficient. However I don’t see how this may carry additional footfall into the city. Sadly, we’re dropping footfall they usually received’t come again.
“We’re a small household enterprise. Our legacy for our daughter is the store. It’s unhappy to suppose which may not be doable.”
“I want the council would cease taking part in political video games with our livelihoods.” A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council final week mentioned: “Intensive consultations have been held with merchants previous to works beginning and we now have taken steps to minimise impression together with by putting in clear signage advising companies are open as regular.
“We're dedicated to creating optimistic adjustments in Alexandria for the advantage of all residents.
“And when full this mission will enhance pedestrian and bicycle owner security and create a gorgeous and welcoming city centre, celebrating the B-Listed Smollett Fountain because the Coronary heart of the Vale.”