Comments on: Police resources now used to harangue shoppers out of the “ghost town” centre of Stornoway

By: Try Something New

Try Something New — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:54:04 +0000

Inverness Tim? Well, it’s a twice a year trip with enough variety in the shops to be worth putting up with a parking machine. The rest of the time I shop online, or go even further afield. You see, if it’s worthwhile to go off the island for shopping, then once the decision is made to get on the plane or the ferry then one can shop wherever one wants. Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh………..They’ve all got shops, and parking, and cafes and variety. Stornoway town can win back that custom when the shopkeepers make people think “why go away, I can get that in Stornoway” and the council make us think “I’ll get parked no bother and there’s no faff with a machine” and the cafe owners make us think “I’ll have a wee coffee and a bit of cake when I’ve done my shopping, since I’ve no parking machine to worry about”. When all that gets joined up Tim boy I’ll think to myself “why go to Inverness, I’m better off shopping right here in Stornoway and save myself the bother of going on the ferry or the plane”.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:26:22 +0000

I went. There was some very positive info about the works in the harbour, and an interesting presentation about Business Improvement Districts, or BIDs. Some very good info about the work of the Regeneration Group as well. I would encourage local businesses and residents to get involved. It’s up to us. If you’re not part of the solution, you just might find you’re part of the problem.

By: Iain

Iain — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:18:49 +0000

Yes, unfortunately couldn’t make it.

By: MadNeil

MadNeil — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:13:41 +0000

Did anyone go to last nights meeting? Iain have you any feedback or were you elsewhere engaged?

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:52:36 +0000

“it’s the need to find change, go to the machine, remember when your parking’s up, being on a time constraint – I’d sooner not bother”

Oh, my goodness! How do you cope with such hardship?!?! What do you do when you go to Inverness???

By: Stevo plane with nae wings

Stevo plane with nae wings — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:29:42 +0000

@ Tina

I challenge you to run a business on this island….as you think it is so easy……with costs 25 % higher on the island’s than the mainland…..i think you will end up doing the same as the current shop owners…..SLAPPING on a ” Ferry Tax” every year also makes it harder…..

U do realise that the same bag of potatoes on the mainland thats cost £4, but is at least £8- £9 , if not more during summer times on the island….u will find the chippe has reasonable prices ,more or less mainland prices…..

As regards to the continental market….ask the local shop owners…….they endure the winter famine only to see the summer feast being grabbed by some NON rates paying “lets leave a mess ” business’s……who pays for the mess they leave behind? Yeah the local shop owners taxes do…..

As for your chippie’s idea….how about go ask Cameron’s or Chirch street Chippie as to why they HAVE to close early…..u do realise the toon is dead past 9pm???? And why on earth would any reputable business owner want to take abuse from late night drunks on a Saturday night, as this seem’s to be what u are suggesting……

Also u mention Business’s wanting Mainland Perks…..you will note, that is not the case……ALL THEY WANT IS A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD……and noting that business rates are higher on the islands than some towns on the mainland….is not asking for any perks…but merely pointing out the obvious disadvantage faced by island business’s

By: Try Something New

Try Something New — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:31:38 +0000

Reality says that town centre businesses have to change strategy to survive. They have to contend with increased supply costs compared to mainland retailers along with the same competition from online shopping. I know I tend to shop more online now compared to a few years ago and also have a big list of shopping to do whenever I go to the mainland. There are lots of factors – one is the inconvenience of parking charges (it’s not even the amount as it doesn’t cost that much – it’s the need to find change, go to the machine, remember when your parking’s up, being on a time constraint – I’d sooner not bother), another is the selection of goods on offer, a third reason is that a lot of the shops are just a bit dismal and not a pleasurable shopping experience.
Shopkeepers need to connect with their modern market – supply the things an island resident needs/ wants on an everyday basis or cater to the tourist trade with a quality range of local products and cosmopolitan opening hours, or both. It would be lovely to wander round pleasant shops on a summer evening and stop in a nice cafe for coffee/ tea, nicer still to have some shops that cater fully to the outdoor pursuits we could base our tourist trade and lifestyle on. And it’s time the councillors invested in a real effort to tart up the town centre with some nice floral displays etc. The school boards are a nice addition at times but they should complement, not replace, proper decor.
One last thing, surely something could be done to alleviate the business rates burden on town centre businesses – it’s a no brainer that a thriving business is better for the local economy than an empty shop that generates no income at all in the way of rates or anything else.

By: Tracey

Tracey — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:46:40 +0000

Tina suggests “innovation” will be the saving of Stornoway town centre, please share your expertise as the past 10 years I have seen businesses with seeming good ideas come and sadly go. I agree I would love to go for a coffee in evening @ The Woodlands Centre, has anyone asked why do they not open later, particularly in the summer months. I seem to remember the shops or alot of them remaining open late to accommodate the turning on of the Christmas lights, however I think it is the way of alot of things here little or no support so the business owners no longer feel it’s feasible to keep staff on, electricity etc. I agree with Stevo about the mess the market leaves as I live in the centre of town and see it out my windows. Again has anyone asked the local chippies why they don’t stay open later, even on Friday or Saturday nights? There may be a valid reason. You mention usual business hours 9-5 how long does one stay open just in case…..and lastly there are shops and businesses that do go the extra for their customers so I think your blanket comment on the lack of customer service is a little unfair for those who do care.

By: Tina

Tina — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:43:04 +0000

Regarding the Continental market I don’t believe they “take away” from local business since most local businesses don’t actually sell the stuff the market does. What they do do is draw people into the town, and people who are in the town are more likely to spend money on other things whilst they’re there!
The Heb Celt festival may have it’s own food supply, but what about the other 51 weeks of the year when the festival isn’t on? The chippies in most towns are open at least until 11pm.
Why doesn’t the woodland centre stay open longer in the summer?
What it boils down to is a lot of local businesses want the mainland perks like cheaper business rates but also want to carry on doing business the way they have always done, 9-5 monday to saturday, and as lilttle customer service as they can get away with!
Time for a bit of innovation!

By: Stevo plane with nae wings

Stevo plane with nae wings — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:13:10 +0000

@Tina

You obviously dont run a business or have no clue how to run one……

When the Continental fair comes up they take away from the local business’s ….they dont pay any rates or tax to the local economy..they leave a massive mess which OUR bin men have to clean up….insted they compete with people who are operating a business all year round and have overheads and expenses to cover…..during the busiest two weeks of the year!!!.You will also note that the Continental market also closes its flap’s around 5pm…….

Also regarding the chippie……the HEB festvial now has food in their own tents …so there is no point in staying open when there is no customers about…..

if the CNES want to help local business then they can do something to lower the rates…..as we are paying rates at a higher rate than most towns on the mainland…….