Campbeltown Snub from Council Leader

[Kintyre Forum News]

Councillor John Semple Argyll and Bute SNP
Media release 03/11/2011
Campbeltown Snub from Council Leader

For immediate release

Argyll & Bute Liberal, Conservative, Alliance Administration agreed a surprise £15,000 grant to the SS Waverley at today’s Executive Committee meeting in Lochgilphead. The one-off grant is to assist a £350K refit of the vessel, the charity who operate The Waverley are hoping to raise £100k from Local Authorities with whom the Waverley regularly docks. Argyll & Bute Council already waves harbour dues to the value of £10k per annum in recognition that the summer service brings visitors to many coastal communities in the authority.

Commenting on the decision, Campbeltown Councillor John Semple said,

“ I raised with Dick Walsh, Chair of the Executive Committee and Leader of the council, that the present timetable of the Waverley means it visits Campbeltown on a Wednesday afternoon which is the traditional half-day for local traders. I asked Councillor Walsh to used this grant to press for a change in that timetable to a more economically advantageous day for Campbeltown, he glibly dismissed my concerns commenting that Campbeltown Traders should be open whenever the boat comes in”

“this shows the council leaders disrespect for small traders in this town, and total lack of understanding in the operation, market and pressures small marginal businesses operate under, yes they can open on a Wednesday when the Waverley comes in and some do, but he was in a position to significantly improve the potential advantage to Campbeltown and the experience to visitors and chose not to.”

[Kintyre Forum News]

Here is the Council press release on the funding allocation

Council pledges one-off grant for Waverley paddle steamer

Argyll and Bute councillors have agreed one-off grant funding of £15,000 to support one of Scotland’s best-known vessels.

The decision follows a funding plea from Waverley Excursions Ltd in September to all the councils where the famous paddle steamer sails.

The letter stated that without one-off support from those councils which benefit from the Waverley’s visits, the charity would not be able to pay for its winter re-fit this year and the boat would be taken out of commission.

Argyll and Bute Council leader, Councillor Dick Walsh, said that the council’s view in the past has been that its current practice of not imposing either berthing or passenger dues on the Waverley’s trips to Argyll and Bute destinations was equivalent to a substantial financial donation.

“However, it has now become clear that without a one-off cash boost this year, there is a very real danger that we will not see the Waverley in our waters again,” he added.

“This is a unique and much-loved vessel which has served the communities of Argyll and Bute for almost 40 years.

“As well as being a popular attraction for local people it is also a big draw for visitors to the area, and the thousands of passengers the Waverley carries bring a significant economic boost to Argyll and Bute communities. The impact of its loss would be felt by many across the region.

“We have therefore agreed the one-off funding in recognition of the historical significance of the vessel and the value it has to towns across Argyll and Bute.”

Waverley Excursions Ltd, which has preserved, maintained and operated the paddle steamer on a charitable basis since 1975, has also approached trusts, corporate bodies and individuals for funding.

The charity’s management is currently reviewing its business model with the aim of making funds available on an ongoing basis to ensure the future financial viability of the vessel.

A summary development plan setting out the basis on which the company proposes to operate was provided in support of the funding application.

[swim]

I could be mistaken but I think it's been sometime since the Waverley visited Campbeltown on a Wednesday afternoon, certainly not on a regular basis. I had friends visit last summer from Ayrshire on a Sunday and I am sure it was sheduled to visit this year on Sunday 17th July (Glasgow Fair Weekend) but I recall the weather was terrible so not sure if it sailed.

[mrn]

Yes it isn't just Wednesday the Waverley visits Campbeltown. I am surprised Councilor Semple highlighted the embarassing fact that we still have businesses closing on a Wednesday afternoon! I actually thought the town had moved on from this. Are there still shops that close?

[Swanseajock]

Yes it isn't just Wednesday the Waverley visits Campbeltown. I am surprised Councilor Semple highlighted the embarassing fact that we still have businesses closing on a Wednesday afternoon! I actually thought the town had moved on from this. Are there still shops that close?

Here here.

For goodness sake, if you are a "local trader" and you own your own business, surely you would/should do everything in your power and ability to attract whatever business you can, especially in these difficult times. We are now in the 21st Century, surely the half-day closing is an anachronism

[WC1]

Can't help thinking John has shot himself, and the town, in the foot this time. Is it not a case of local shop-owners being "in a position to significantly improve the potential advantage to their businesses and the experience to visitors and choose not to”? The Waverley may arrive on a few random afternoons during the season, but there are visitors coming in to the town every day. Does it not matter that they find shops, cafes and restaurants closed?

[John S]

I have never tried to operate a retail business in Campbeltown, and I'm not sure how many contributors to this thread have, but I have spoken to a good number. What is apparent to me is how marginal many small retail businesses are here in Campbeltown particularly in the current economic climate. I am always amazed at the armchair pundits who chunter about what local shop keepers should do to improve their business. Do they think local traders don't want to make a profit? do they think its a hobby? or they don't know or understand the local market? Perhaps they're just lazy and want a lie in or a round of golf on a Wednesday afternoon?

Running a shop in Campbeltown is not easy, the local market is very limited, the tourism season is short and visitor numbers low. In order to make a living from retail, businesses have to pear back on overheads as well as targeting the market, and believe it or not deserve a rest as much as the next person. So why not open on a Wednesday or a Sunday for the Waverley?

I am certain, if there was a good likelihood of a worthwhile profit being in it,shops would be open. But what is a profit? if the overheads of opening for an extra 3 hours on a Wednesday afternoon are, for example, £40, and profit margins say 33%, then a retailer would have to make sales of £160 in that 3 hours just to break even. Whilst this might not seem like a lot of money would you take the risk of ending up out of pocket and giving up a well earned rest?

The opportunity to add the potential market from the Waverley to existing shopping days was all the Council Leader was asked to consider, and He didn't.

[WC1]

I am certain, if there was a good likelihood of a worthwhile profit being in it,shops would be open.

One thing certain John, there's no profit whatsoever in losing trade through being closed. What you're really saying is that there's no profit to be got from staying open just because the Waverley is coming in, and that might in fact be true. It would make perfect sense therefore for the Waverley's operators to keep that in mind in deciding which ports to take her to. It's a matter for them to decide, after all, not the Council leader.

[John S]

I am certain, if there was a good likelihood of a worthwhile profit being in it,shops would be open.

It would make perfect sense therefore for the Waverley's operators to keep that in mind in deciding which ports to take her to. It's a matter for them to decide, after all, not the Council leader.

If only that were true WC, but I fear since the Waverley is also in the retail market her owners would rather that their customers had some money left for the long return journey than be spending it in Campbeltown Shops.

[mrn]

John, I wouldn't be so quick to be so disrespectful to customers opinions. While you may have spoke to a number of shopkeepers you should also remember to canvass the consumers thoughts? If, as you say, there is no profit in opening on a Wednesday afternoon why open on a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon? Retailers should surely think about the impression this leaves with visitors to Campbeltown. If the locals feel like this then what must a visitor make of it?

I must admit I'm surprised to hear that shops still close. I thought it was a thing of the past but I can't remember the last time I was in town on a Wednesday afternoon.

[maxmix]

In all the years I had shops in the town, I never thought once about closing on a Wednesday afternoon, In fact it I was open usually much later than the 'Normal' shop opening times.... The same went to the local holiday Monday's etc

This practice seems to have been going on for many, many years.... why in this day and age i'm not sure...

Maybe someone can enlighten 'Us' !

Quite a few towns seem to have abandoned these 'Half days' now, obviously they have found it better to be open than closed...

Any other suggestions ?

maxmix