Campbeltown Regeneration

[smokynuk]

This Town needs something for family's to do.I have spoken to people who have came here for jobs and taken their family's to see what the place is like and they have said there is nothing to do and left.

The problem is the Town is run by old people who don't want change they complain about the noise in Longrow when there was an arcade that was closed before the paint was dry,but no one seems to notice the noise from all the pubs in main street and longrow.

The paddling pool is a joke some of the rusty horses have been there for over 16yrs.New houses are being built there so it won't be long before the people moving in will complain about the noise and it will be closed.

The graveyard is lovely but what does that say about the Town we care more about the dead than the living.


What this Town needs

1 .Bowling alley
2. Amusement arcade
3. Crazy golf course
4. Large swing park
5. Restaurant with indoor play area

[The Hitman]

I'll agree that the paddling pool could do with a re-vamp.

However for all the other items I think there would be a struggle to make them financially viable. I agree that a bowling alley could indeed make money, but where would this be situated? You only have to look as far as Oban and for some reason that bowling alley has shut.

Where the putting green is at the moment could be improved into some sort of crazy putting course, however I dare say it would then have to be fenced off for fear of vandalism.

A fully synthetic outdoor football pitch would be a good idea, with possibly a couple of five a side pitches included.

I definately think Campbeltown is lacking amenities. I also think however that in order to see what children would use the most a poll could maybe be run through the schools/this foum and the feedback sent to the three local councillors on the most sought after amenities and see if any of these ideas could be realised!?

[Beachcomber]

However for all the other items I think there would be a struggle to make them financially viable.

There's the rub. We're already subsidising the Aqualibrium through our Council Taxes, whether we use it or not.

I agree that a bowling alley could indeed make money, but where would this be situated?

The Aqualibrium would have been the obvious answer to that question but there's no room in the building for it. Maybe you could site it on Kinloch Green, between the pool and the new Drive Thru MacDonalds?

[general jack o'niell]

only way we will get any new amenities is to lift the whole town and transfer it 55 miles up the road, or change the name to kilmory. still maybe the years of having ineffectual representation on the council are now over? tho i'm not holding my breath!!!

[The Hitman]

General, what amenities does Lochgilphead have that Campbeltown doesn't have?

[general jack o'niell]

i was talking about money, if they wanted it they would get it, likewise oban, helenburgh and dunoon, we've always been the poor relations. and i'm not just talking about amenities, roads too

[The Hitman]

Ah I agree with you there, we are not seen as the 'hub' of Argyll you mean.

Well I was speaking to a friend the last day and they thought the town was on the up after being in the doldrums for so long. Must admit there have been some improvements recently, wonder how the towns employment figures compare now as to a few years ago what with Vesta's, the call centre, B9 Energy etc all setting up shop here! Plus the new golf course and all the planned developments to go along with it.

Hopefully all this inward investment will magnify our cries for more money and services!

[Beachcomber]

Well I was speaking to a friend the last day and they thought the town was on the up after being in the doldrums for so long.

Must say I agree with them. I don't come down to town more than once or twice a week but have noticed a couple of new shops springing up on Longrow and some bits being tidied up.

Not sure what effect the Parliament Square demolition/re-construction will have on that - got to be messy for a while - but you never know your luck.

[The Hitman]

Not sure what effect the Parliament Square demolition/re-construction will have on that - got to be messy for a while - but you never know your luck.

It can only be a good thing in my opinion, at the very least aesthetically anyway, as opposed to the old dark dingy buildings that are there at present, new builds are going to freshen things up no end, plus look at all the new properties in the town. Everyone must be staying somwhere at the minute so it is going to create another 70 odd brand new homes! Where's the harm there.

I think it will revitalise area's of the town which have been seriously going downhill for quite some time!

[Machrihanish]

Ah I agree with you there, we are not seen as the 'hub' of Argyll you mean.

Well I was speaking to a friend the last day and they thought the town was on the up after being in the doldrums for so long. Must admit there have been some improvements recently, wonder how the towns employment figures compare now as to a few years ago what with Vesta's, the call centre, B9 Energy etc all setting up shop here! Plus the new golf course and all the planned developments to go along with it.

Hopefully all this inward investment will magnify our cries for more money and services!

I wouldnt expect too many new jobs at Machrihanish, the plans mention 24 only, other big companies who come to the town never stay long...have a look at page 14 of this presentation from Vestas: http://www.machrihanish.net/2006_Q2_PRES_UK.pdf
Same old story, come for the grants then leave. I think it is up to the people of the town to take charge of it's development and not rely on outside help.
The Gen is quite right about the money going elsewhere too, like he said maybe that will change now...hope so.

[4th gen Suthen']

Cameron, SUMMARISE!!

[Machrihanish]

Cameron, SUMMARISE!!

Basically:
Companies invest = usual 5 year term, fairly standard investment term.
Campbeltown always seems to have lost out on available money in the past = developments in other towns in Argyll.

Campbeltown needs to capitalise on tourism, fight for a ferry link with Ayr (the golfers would love that) and Ireland, tidy up the town centre...maybe paint the houses along the sea front like the ones in Balamory....just kidding with that one
Seriously though, someone mentioned our heritage, culture, wildlife, scenery etc earlier, other areas have done well off those subjects - why can't Campbeltown?

ok ok so that wasn't really a summary but you get my drift

[The Hitman]

The golf course may only employ 24 people but I fail to see how that's possible, with greenkeepers, club shop, clubhouse, hotels, new bar (Beachcomber) etc. Plus it's the money that the tourists will provide to the area. Surely an opportunity for someone with even a small boat, (Seatours?) to market a golfing trip, Machrihanish, Dunes, Dunaverty, Carradale, Arran over to say Sanda for a meal and a refreshment after a round at Dunaverty/Machrihanish.

Only time will though! Fingers crossed!

[Machrihanish]

The golf course may only employ 24 people but I fail to see how that's possible, with greenkeepers, club shop, clubhouse, hotels, new bar (Beachcomber) etc. Plus it's the money that the tourists will provide to the area. Surely an opportunity for someone with even a small boat, (Seatours?) to market a golfing trip, Machrihanish, Dunes, Dunaverty, Carradale, Arran over to say Sanda for a meal and a refreshment after a round at Dunaverty/Machrihanish.

Only time will though! Fingers crossed!

the 24 quoted are for the refurbished hotel, bar etc and I'm not sure if that includes course staff. Maybe the existing staff will be managing the new course ?
Do a quick google and you will find any amount of golfing packages...including Machrihanish. The biggest problem has always been...and always will be... getting there. Daft to think that I can pop over to Belgium for a meeting quicker than I can get to Machrihanish. I see that it is already possible to get a boat to Ayrshire with Seatours, I heard someone was looking at a quick link to Ayr/Troon too ?
Only my two penneth worth but if anyone is looking to external forces to save them they would be better off hoping Luke Skywalker is going to come to their rescue !!

May the force be with you

[4th gen Suthen']

To be a success an awful lot of people are going to have to come here and play golf.

I hope there are plenty rich golfers around.