Coupar Angus pedestrianisation critics described as 'doom-laden'
A councillor has hit out at "doom-laden" critics of efforts to revitalise Coupar Angus.
- By Dave Lord
- Published in the Courier : 17.09.10
- Published online : 17.09.10 @ 12.13pm
Furious shop owners have insisted a local pedestrianisation scheme will lead to a significant drop in trade. Some parking spaces will be lost as a result of the works-leading to fears over the town's business prospects.
However, Councillor Alan Grant has urged the regeneration's knockers to get behind the on-going work, insisting the scheme heralds the beginning of an exciting new era for Coupar Angus.
He insisted any short-term pain will be more than outweighed by long-term gain.
"As works continue the overall visual affect of what will be achieved is still not apparent," he said. "It is impossible to make everybody happy but we want to provide a public, community space where exciting things can happen.
"There could be events and markets. This scheme will revitalise Coupar Angus and promote fresh interest in the town."
Mr Grant called for detractors to be "a bit more optimistic."
"There are already plans for a new pavement cafe once the works are complete — these are exciting times," he said. "Some people are a bit doom-laden but times are changing and Coupar Angus has to change if it is to capitalise.
"There are actually a lot of interesting and historic buildings in the town-we need to entice people to come and see them and these works will help make the place more attractive to visitors."
Parking effort
Mr Grant pointed out that efforts are ongoing to ensure alternative parking sites are identified to replace at least some of those that have been lost in the town centre.
"It is important to note that not all of the parking is being lost," he said. "This scheme will change the ambience of Coupar Angus and while some people are finding it difficult we really need to embrace the regeneration."
The councillor described recent refurbishment works at the town's Larghan Park as "hugely successful."
"These are exciting times for Coupar Angus," he said. "Surveys showed the majority of people, including youngsters, wanted something down about the town centre and that is what this regeneration will address.
"It is my belief that we will be able to look back in a few years and say it has been hugely successful."
Shopkeeper's view
Greengrocer Fred Stewart, who organised a petition with almost 200 names prior to work beginning, had to close his store for three weeks because of loss of earnings.
Mr Stewart said customers had been unable to access the flower and fruit shop and one had even been trapped inside for 20 minutes when a digger was parked in the doorway.
"It has just been ridiculously handled," he said. "The council say they want to encourage visitors to the town by sprucing it up but they are just driving people away.
"By the end of the project there won't be anyone left. I had eight weeks without a wage and was forced to throw out hundreds of pounds worth of food. In the end I closed up for three weeks, it wasn't worth my while being open.
"When I spoke to Councillor Grant he said people could access my shop if they wanted to but he didn't take into account how hard they would have to try. There was nowhere to park and the doorway was often blocked."
Mr Stewart has now reopened but says the problem has just been shifted to other traders further down the road.
Add a comment