Busy in the town this afternoon

[WC1]

Glasgow Fair Sunday. Arrival of the Waverley about 3 o' clock. Large numbers of visitors. Only the Chocolate Box, McKellars and the Cafe Bluebell open. What must they have made of the large number of closed and boarded up shops? Even the Heritage Centre closed. This is Campbeltown and you're welcome to it?

[MPR]

really really sad.I will assume that the shopkeepers knew that the boat was coming in. Years ago glasgow fair had the town hopping.

[kmc]

really really sad.I will assume that the shopkeepers knew that the boat was coming in. Years ago glasgow fair had the town hopping.

Well I for one shopkeeper did not know it was coming in.
How long were they in Town for?

Kenny

[yogino1pup]

the cafe in bolgom street is always open on sundays and the cafe in main street was also open.

[howlsatthemoon]

Well I for one shopkeeper did not know it was coming in.
How long were they in Town for?
Kenny

Why did you not enquire at the tourist information office about any planned visits to the town? Or do you think it is up to them to let you know what is happening?

[kmc]

Well I for one shopkeeper did not know it was coming in.
How long were they in Town for?
Kenny

Why did you not enquire at the tourist information office about any planned visits to the town? Or do you think it is up to them to let you know what is happening?

No I don't think its up to them and I missed the advert.

[Crowth]

Why did you not enquire at the tourist information office about any planned visits to the town? Or do you think it is up to them to let you know what is happening?

Erm...YES! If they are doing their job right. The clue is in the name 'tourist information office', or are they a not a pro-active organisation thesedays? They are there for the promotion of tourism with the ultimate benefit of both the tourist and the local economy. I'm not saying the shops, cafes etc should be passive or blaze about their opening hours, that would be fiscal suicide, but the TIO for Kintyre doesn't have anywhere near an infinite number of businesses within their allotted area and should easily be able to maintain, locally, a database of email addresses that could be used to keep potentially interested parties informed about upcoming events such as a visit by the Waverley.

[Isa]

the cafe in bolgom street is always open on sundays and the cafe in main street was also open.

I would imagine they would be looking for a bit more of an impression of the place than sitting in cafes. The people I saw mostly had cameras and were just wandering around looking a bit lost. In saying that all the tables outside the Royal were full. Waiting and hoping the boat wouldn't be too long perhaps?

[MPR]

is promoting these kind of things to the community not a combined use of the courier and the tourist office, there has to be an easy way for this type of info to be distriuted, much as I hate commities( sp) maybe there should be a group of civic minded shopkepers and townsfolk who could spend a bit of time getting this info and distributing it, given all the info that is available on the "net" it seems that it wouldnt take too much time.

[Isa]

There has always been this debate regarding shops being open when the Waverly comes in but looking at it from the shopkeepers point of view most of them have found that to stay open for an event like the Waverly coming in is extra cost to them with no benefits.

Most of the travellers have probably spent their disposable income for the day on board and really just want to browse when they are left off for a while. I remember one shopkeeper who stayed open took in £1.50. Not enough to cover staff or utilities for the day.

Couldn't there be some form of entertainment provided ie a small open air concert just for the couple of hours or a few stalls with local produce and crafts just to relieve the visitors of any cash leftover from the sail down?

The shopkeepers would not be able to object to this as they have chosen not to open.

[MPR]

good thoughts isa. I like that idea.

[WC1]

I'm fascinated by this idea that tourists need to tell us they're coming before we'll get our act together to be ready for them. We are in the middle of the tourist season. Would it not seem logical to expect some tourists? They don't all come off the Waverley. Why was the Heritage Centre not open? I saw some of those who were wandering about looking lost (Isa's observation was spot on there) milling about at its closed doors looking totally bemused. Cafe Bluebell is closed today (Monday) yet there are still visitors about. Do cafes in Oban or Inveraray only open six days a week in the tourist season? One thing is certain: those who spent Sunday afternoon wandering about looking lost will not be back, and they'll tell their friends not to bother coming either.

[jaywalker]

Maybe a brilliant business idea for someone who is retired and with time on his hands. Ideally somene who thinks there is an opportunity to be exploited.

[maxmix]

the cafe in bolgom street is always open on sundays and the cafe in main street was also open.

Pity the Waverley cannot get to Oban.... At least a lot more shops would have been open for the visitors....

I wonder how much longer it will keep coming this far down.... I remember when it would pull in every Wednesday great time for town to have a half day lol

Hopefully the tourists got some good snaps, without all the boarded up shops in the background

maxmix