Signs welcoming you to Alexandria describe it as ‘the heart of the Vale.’
But fed-up traders and residents are warning that the regeneration work that has isolated businesses and crippled footfall is at risk of killing off the town centre for good.
As part of a £12million transformation plan – set to take six months to complete –the Smollett Fountain is being restored, Main Street is being re-paved and the eyesore Mitchell Way shopping precinct is being demolished.
The work, which started in May, will go on until at least November.
But traders fear they won’t be in business then as the cordons and closures see them isolated – with trade down up to 40 percent in some cases.
Barriers mean shoppers can’t browse stores on both sides of Main Street without lengthy detours, traffic is backed up frequently and pavement space is compromised.
We told you last week how the Post Office is facing closure with owner Zunair Butt working two jobs to make ends meet.
This will have a knock-on effect on Lomond Fishmongers, which sits opposite the Smollett Fountain and is completely surrounded by the works.
Owner David MacCallum says he can’t open the door because of the smell and noise outside and shoppers think he is closed –leaving him stuck inside with no customers.
He had already endured overrunning works on the pavement outside his store, before tramlines were discovered underneath the street – adding further delays.
To reach David’s store you have to negotiate a maze of barriers, and that hasn’t been the only issue.
He explained: “Phase one was supposed to take five to eight weeks. And we’re now on week 11.
“As a business, you knew you would be 20 percent down because of the road closure. But on top of that, it’s been getting dug up outside here the whole time.
“I’ve had the pavement done, which took about five weeks. Then they started digging the road up. It’s caused absolute chaos out there.
“It’s been absolutely terrible.
“It’s really hard to say how much it’s hit our takings, but we’re at least 30 or 40 percent down I would estimate.
“Some days are worse than others. On a hot day, I can’t open the door, which is very heavy. Elderly customers can’t get in the door easily, or they think I’m closed. But I can’t leave the door open because of the smell and the noise.
“I’m sweltering in here and I have no customers.”
David believes that more support is vital, adding: “The only thing the council could do for all of us would be to provide a set amount of money. It would be very hard with Covid to work out what you’re up and down.
“If the council were to say this has taken double the time it should’ve, here is an amount of compensation for each of you then that would make sense.
“I think this will pass. But whether or not I’m still here at the end of it remains to be seen.
“The Post Office have said they might have to close because of this, and that would be a serious problem for me.
“This part of the Vale has nothing really shop wise, the Post Office is the main draw. Take that away and all you’ll have is a bigger pavement - but nobody using it.”
In the Fountain Cafe, the impact of the works was the main topic of conversation. Anne Dickie, who has run Jimmy’s Cards and Gifts on the Main Street for 25 years, said she fears for the future.
She said: “It’s hitting the business badly. Our footfall is down about 25 or 30 percent as a rough guess.
“If the footfall is down then income is down.
“It’s so frustrating because we’re not seeing how the work they are doing just now will be beneficial to this town.
“They are putting these businesses at risk to do something that we don’t believe will help the town. It’s a very worrying and stressful time. The council have convinced themselves it will. We keep being told it will attract more footfall. We’re looking for the proof. We’re looking for the studies that show that doing all this will attract more people to Alexandria. Because we don’t believe it will.”
Local businessman Paul Cocozza, whose family have traded in the Vale since the 1960s, warned that footfall was as low as it has ever been.
“As a resident, it’s like a ghost town” he said.
“The whole point of business is to have footfall coming in through your door. Footfall now is worse than it’s ever been.
“I feel sorry for the shopkeepers.
“It feels as if the council doesn’t have a plan.
“Regeneration should be social housing led, that’s the way to go forward. Bring the people back in towards the businesses.
“I’d implore the council to listen to the people. Until now it feels as if they just pay lip service to traders and the public.”
For others meanwhile, consultation was needed before things got this far.
Anne added: “There was a consultation in the old Lagavulin Bistro. The night we went along we were handed battery operated lanterns to see because there was no electricity. How is that a proper consultation?
“If the consultation was online then the council should remember that a lot of our residents are elderly and a lot of footfall in the town is in the
60-plus mark. They aren’t online to do the consultations. It should’ve been in the leisure centre and very publicly advertised.”
It isn’t just businesses who have felt left out, with residents also claiming they feel as if their views have been ignored.
Former headteacher Ronnie Thumath, who lives on Middleton Street, said: “There’s absolutely been a lack of consultation. I didn’t hear a word from the council until I saw the signs going up that said work would be taking place from May until November.
“We have a new administration who deserve a chance. But the previous council let the Vale of Leven and Alexandria down badly.
“The place is a disaster.
“Painting the shopfronts would be a lot less expensive, hanging baskets. Things like that would be a lot more effective than ripping up the street.
“Local businesses have been absolutely hammered by the lack of business. People are not using the shops, including myself. It’s too difficult.”
And he worries for the safety of children at Christie Park Primary.
He added: “I can put up with traffic because I don’t have a young family anymore, but there’s Christie Park Primary at the end of the road. When the road is at its busiest we have cars going along Middleton Street and 300 children all coming out of the school at the same time.”
Rev Ian Miller, a Queen Street resident, echoed the comments, saying: “I also fear that the restriction of traffic on the Main Street will cause drivers to seek an alternative route via Middleton Street and Queen Street. I fear they could become the Vale’s edition of Wacky Races.
“The whole thing is a joke. Look at the place.
“Signs on roundabouts and Christmas banners proudly proclaim “Alexandria ... Heart of the Vale.
“I think all who live there or shop there would agree that it is in need of a transplant but I am not convinced that the surgery presently happening on the Main Street will improve the health of the patient.
“Particularly when no one has ever really asked for the patient’s opinion on the treatment proposed.
“The place needs brightened up, there is nothing surer. But I’m not convinced this is the right idea.
“Will the planners not just listen to the people?”
Shopkeeper Anne meanwhile warned that further delays into Christmas could force her out of business. She added: “If we don’t get free of it between early November and January then that will finish us.
We’re a card shop. If we don’t get Christmas trade that will finish us. All businesses need Christmas trade to carry us into the next year.
“If we could see the benefits then fair enough. But I don’t see how this will bring extra footfall into the town. Unfortunately, we’re losing footfall and they won’t come back.
“We’re a small family business. Our legacy for our daughter is the shop. It’s sad to think that might not be possible.”
“I wish the council would stop playing political games with our livelihoods.” A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council last week said: “Extensive consultations were held with traders prior to works starting and we have taken steps to minimise impact including by installing clear signage advising businesses are open as normal.
“We are committed to making positive changes in Alexandria for the benefit of all residents.
“And when complete this project will improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and create an attractive and welcoming town centre, celebrating the B-Listed Smollett Fountain as the Heart of the Vale.”
