Helensburgh businesses 'fighting every day' to survive amid emergency road closure

Helensburgh businesses fear they “won’t be here next year” after a key route through the town closed due to a dangerous building.

A stretch of East Clyde Street between Sinclair and Maitland Street in the coastal town has been closed since June 9 due to a dangerous building, with traffic diverted from the area.

It is not yet known when the road could reopen, with Argyll and Bute Council awaiting a report on the options for demolition.

Business owners fear the loss of trade could push some firms to breaking point.

‘Every day is a fight’

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The emergency closure is the latest hurdle in what local retailers describe as a “David and Goliath” battle to stay afloat in an increasingly challenging climate.

Fiona Leary, director of Wrights Home Hardware, explained that running costs have soared by 50% over the last five years alone.

“In the five years since Covid, we’ve had two national lockdowns, supply chains broken three times, the war in Ukraine, the war involving Iran, and massive economic changes within that time. It’s really hard to run a business,” she said.

“It’s a fight for smaller retailers up against Amazon, Temu and Shein. We pay a lot more tax and have substantial business rates.”

She also says traders will receive no business rates relief due to the road closure.

Fiona Leary of Wrights Home Hardware STV News

“Businesses won’t be here in 12 months. Not just mine, but every other one in Helensburgh that has seen a drop-off in trade from congestion, greater lack of parking and lack of planning. It’s unsustainable.

“We get up every day and we start the fight again. It feels like a fight.”

She highlighted St Andrews and North Berwick, waterfront towns often ranked among the best places to live in the UK.

“They have thriving high streets,” she said. “One reason they’re popular is because there’s lots of independent shops, waterfront attractions, things to do, history and culture.

“Helensburgh was that. It could be again, but it’s now the opposite of that.

“The council needs to join up its thinking and provide a vision we can get behind.”

‘I’ve lost thousands’

Melanie owns a tearoom in Helensburgh STV News

Melanie Andrews, owner of a tearoom along from the cordon, says she has already lost thousands of pounds since the road was cordoned off.

“This is the result of years and years of neglect, 100%,” she said.

“This is peak time of year for Helensburgh. If we’re not making money, there’s no way we’ll be here in winter.”

She pointed to a number of facilities that have been unavailable to locals and visitors in recent years, including Helensburgh Pier, which has been closed to marine traffic since 2018, and the town’s leisure centre, which is currently shut following storm damage.

“At the end of the day, why would you come to Helensburgh? It’s a desperate situation.

“We’ve been left alone to our own devices at the very end of Argyll and Bute Council’s remit.

“I really want to be here at the end of the year. It’s my whole life. I’ve done it for 42 years. I don’t want to be not serving my community anymore.”

The road closure isn’t the only issue causing frustration among businesses and residents.

Tensions are also building over plans to build a supermarket on historic common good land, a waterfront site originally gifted to the people of the town in 1838 for public benefit.

Leisure centre under repair at the waterfront STV News

Community councillor Polly Jones STV News

Community council vice chair Polly Jones says plans for the supermarket on the site are “a travesty” and would drain footfall away from independent shops.

“Just standing here, I can see at least three units that are already closed,” she said. “My kids and I use this area to walk the dog.

“How many places get to have such a fantastic space? You can come to Helensburgh’s seaside, get a fish supper and an ice cream, and enjoy the view. We want to keep it for public benefit and future generations.”

Community convenor Dr Peter Brown echoed those concerns, pointing out that several empty retail spaces across town could be used instead of building over open waterfront space.

“It’s wrong,” he said. “It’s one of the selling points of Helensburgh. There shouldn’t be a large supermarket building blocking the view.

“We want it to stay for the purpose of community ownership; to enjoy the waterfront, to enjoy the open space, to have picnics.

“It’s lying dormant at the moment, but it should be there for the community, for what they want it to be used for.”

Argyll and Bute Council defended its proposals for the waterfront, stating that plans include a skatepark, parking spaces and single-story commercial units designed to attract private investment and create local jobs.

A spokesperson said: “This kind of development has been considered and agreed through different routes, including two local development plans and the specific Waterfront Masterplan along with a marketing exercise and community engagement prior to selecting a preferred bidder for the Waterfront site.

“The proposal would secure scarce investment that could create local jobs, help keep local customer spend in Helensburgh, and make further private sector investment in the town possible. It would bring retail and leisure services together, in a site accessible by public transport, and in addition to that would help deliver facilities already on the Waterfront, so reducing budget risk to other vital council services that people and businesses in the town rely on.

“We understand that proposals such as this one can bring differing views. We would welcome hearing the full range of views and thank everyone who has already responded to our consultation.”

Regarding the East Clyde Street closure, the council said that while they lack immediate legal powers to demolish private property, emergency action was required to protect public safety.

“Whilst we understand the impact of the road closure in the town, the safety of pedestrians and road users must remain a priority. Failure by the owners to take action is causing further delay as we follow the necessary legal process.”