A newsagent owner has closed his business after roadworks reduced so much foot traffic the shop was losing over £6,000 a month.
Scottish Water are undertaking works which have led to four-way traffic lights and road closure signs being placed on Braidholm Road in Giffnock, right outside Frankie's newsagents.
Business owner Ian McNeill has had the shop for the last seven years, but it's been a staple of the community for around 50 years. Ian says that due to the works, footfall is down by a third and the business is no longer sustainable.
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He told Glasgow Live: "Every single penny I've ever put into that shop is gone. Frankie's is worth nothing now.
"It's really been very humbling. Have I lost everything? Yes, I have.
"Scottish Water have been out and spoken with me, I've showed them the figures from previous months and years compared to now and the difference is horrendous. But all the guy said was that I didn't have complete definitive proof it was caused by their works.
"Why else would it be that Frankie's was doing totally fine until they put up their signs and traffic lights? My business was steady but in the space of three months they have completely ruined that."
The works began back in August to reduce sewer flooding, with plans to continue for 11 months.
Resident David Russell was sad to hear of the difficulties Ian was facing and has set up a GoFundMe to try to help his local shop open.
David said: "I go to Frankie's pretty much everyday and have done for a long time. I built up a rapport with Ian and he told me he was concerned about footfall when we first heard about the Scottish Water works but I'd never imagined it would come to this.
"I understand exactly how it's happened though as my mum used to pop into the shop on her way back from the gym everyday but she hasn't since the works started as it's far too much of a hassle to sit in traffic at four-way lights. I can imagine a lot of people would be the same but you don't think about how that's going to impact the owner of the shop.
"I've been really shocked at the lack of care from Scottish Water and the council. This is a local business, owned by a local guy who is just trying to support him and his family and they don't care a single bit.
"I really hope the community can get behind Ian and donate whatever they can to the GoFundMe, I just want to help a local guy get his livelihood back."
Ian was recently offered a one-off payment of £529 from Scottish Water. He said: "I took what they offered because honestly I think it's all the help I'll get from them. I'm having to sell off what I can of my stock and I've still got bills to pay even though the shop is closed so it'll go towards that.
"I understand it's essential works but I've now lost my livelihood and it won't exactly be easy for me to go out and get another job. No one wants to take responsibility for it."
A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “We are saddened to hear that Frankie’s Convenience Store in Giffnock has closed down. We recognise that this is a challenging time for small businesses faced with increasing costs and the impact of the cost of living crisis, and we did previously meet with the owner to understand his circumstances.
"We implemented a number of mitigation measures to help support his business and planned to have another meeting with him which he declined.
“We fully appreciate the inconvenience caused by these essential works to help reduce the risk of repeated internal sewer flooding for local householders. This will be far outweighed by the long-term benefits to the wider community. We will continue to work with local residents and business owners to help minimise any disruption for the duration of this major investment project.”
East Renfrewshire Council were contacted for comment.
You can donate to the fundraiser to help save Frankie's here.
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