Comment posted RIP Helensburgh town centre: Waitrose out of town location approved by Councillor George Freeman.
No inquiry allowed. It has been approved with conditions. As long as the applicant accepts the conditions, it will go ahead. As far as I am aware, the only thing that could stop it now is if someone decided to take the decision to a judicial review or if there was a reason for the Scottish Government to call it in, both of which are now unlikely.
Councillor George Freeman also commented
- One interesting thing I was told today at the hearing from one of the Waitrose supporters I have known for years (but have not met for some considerable time).
There are now people in Helensburgh who objected to the CHORD proposals (and whose voices were ignored by the ConDemAll administration members), who are now seriously considering standing as candidates against the three Helensburgh town centre ConDemAll councillors who supported the CHORD proposals.
Recent comments by Councillor George Freeman
- Radically new council group changes all the dynamics: party politics dead in Argyll
Correct. Roddy has been appointe as the new Leader of the Council. - Labour MSP Rhoda Grant’s response to Struan Lodge decision
Having now taken the time to read the original Breslin / Blair motion and what FA tells us was eventually agreed by the Council yesterday, this appears to be a serious climb down by Breslin and Blair.It is now clear that the Breslin / Blair motion would not have been supported by the Council and that is why the compromise by Walsh had to be put forward. We know that the ten Helensburgh councillors support the closure of all Council run care homes because of the ridiculously high costs and would never have supported the Breslin / Blair motion.
Even the Walsh motion that was approved by the Council did not lift the moratorium on placing any new residents in Struan Lodge. All it has done has kicked the issue into the long grass for a couple of months. That was to get Cllr Morton and her Lib Dem colleagues and Cllr Mulvaney and his Tory colleagues to support the Walsh motion.
In their motion that they were forced to withdraw, Breslin and Blair had asked for the Council to rescind the moratorium on new admissions with immediate effect. They were forced to backtrack on this as it was clear that Walsh and the opposition councillors would not support such a proposal.
They should be asked why they decided that they would continue to support the moratorium when the opposition clearly had the numbers to force any decision through the Council and by doing so, have let the Struan Lodge residents and staff down.
- Three administration members vote against agreed budgetary position on Struan Lodge
Having now taken the time to read the original Breslin / Blair motion and what FA tells us was eventually agreed by the Council today, this appears to be a serious climb down by Breslin and Blair.It is now clear that the Breslin / Blair motion would not have been supported by the Council and that is why the compromise by Walsh had to be put forward. We know that the ten Helensburgh councillors support the closure of all Council run care homes and would never have supported the Breslin / Blair motion.
Even the Walsh motion that was approved by the Council did not lift the moratorium on placing any new residents in Struan Lodge. All it has done has kicked the issue into the long grass for a couple of months.
In their motion that they were forced to withdraw, Breslin and Blair had asked for the Council to rescind the moratorium on new admissions with immediate effect. They were forced to backtrack on this as it was clear that Walsh and the opposition councillors would not support such a proposal.
They should be asked why they decided that they would continue to support the moratorium when the opposition clearly had the numbers to force any decision through the Council and by dooing so, have let the Struan Lodge residents and staff down
- MSP v Council Leader now ‘last man standing’ face-off with SNP and Argyll the losers
MB, you say that “The whole M Breslin and Blair thing is a joke, whilst the two of them where turned over by there party it’s refreshing to see at least one did the right thing”.Given that he was elected on an SNP ticket, surely the right thing would be for Mike Breslin to resign as a councillor and then take his chance in the subsequent by-election as a Tory / Lib Dem / Labour / Independent candidate? Surely that would be the honerable thing to do?
It looks like he does not have the courage of his convictions.
- Struan Lodge on agenda for today’s council meeting
Simon, you are not far of the mark. How about the Argyll First lot (Philand, Kelly and McAlpine)? It is clear that they do not have the guts (or backbone) to take a hard decision and are happy for their own constituents to subsidise Struan Lodge in Dunoon when their own constituents will see services to their own eldery folk in the Mid Argyll area being cut.
powered by SEO Super Comments
Too right that ‘no one wants to see Helensburgh die on its feet’, but could there be other factors involved in the decline of the town centre? Only last week the boss of Sainsburys (probably aiming at the planners) suggested that town centres abandoned by the retail sector should concentrate on residential uses, and – however brutal and self-serving that suggestion – he was probably right, for some places. Maybe this will be a wake-up call for Helensburgh – it’s slightly off the beaten track, maybe not much more than a Glasgow commuter suburb disguised as a town? – and unfortunately has become cut off from fellow communities on the shores of the lower Clyde. That’s the impression I get, as an outsider.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I presume there will now be a planning inquiry as has happened several times before. So it’s not over yet.
I think Robert’s assessment is fairly spot on and I speak a a lifelong Helensburgerite.
I also think tht pronouncing the death of the town centre is premature–it all depends. Castle Douglas has an edge of town supermarket and the town centre is thriving, whereas in Dumfries, things are not so good.
What has to be bourne in mind on both sides I that a significant number of Helensburgerites dont use the town centre at all: so instead of ranting about “unfair” competition, maybe time to think about how to persuade those people to change their minds.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
A ‘Helensburger’? – now there’s an idea.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
There doesn’t seem to be a word for it, so I just made one up.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Your prognosis for the town centre is dire indeed. It is not one that is shared by many residents of the town. We may have been dazzled by the smooth talking salesmen from Waitrose and blind to the catastrophe which you suggest will befall the town. It is a pity that the clear sighted majority, which you claim exists, did not turn out in numbers at the hearing todaay, and tear the rose tinted glasses from our eyes.
A more positive vision for the town is now that something is happening, we are getting a new food store for which the public have waited many years, a new pool and leisure centre is promised, the town square is to be revamped and the west esplanade is to be given a facelift. Surely there is something to celebrate in that.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Those who wished for and worked for the decision taken today are now obligated to work to demonstrate that this will indeed rejuvenate the town centre.
You will be judged on the success you are confident you can achieve.
And, in the interests of Helensburgh, we wish you well, without equivocation, in proving our prognosis wrong.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
And all because the lady couldn’t buy pak chow
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
No inquiry allowed. It has been approved with conditions. As long as the applicant accepts the conditions, it will go ahead. As far as I am aware, the only thing that could stop it now is if someone decided to take the decision to a judicial review or if there was a reason for the Scottish Government to call it in, both of which are now unlikely.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
One interesting thing I was told today at the hearing from one of the Waitrose supporters I have known for years (but have not met for some considerable time).
There are now people in Helensburgh who objected to the CHORD proposals (and whose voices were ignored by the ConDemAll administration members), who are now seriously considering standing as candidates against the three Helensburgh town centre ConDemAll councillors who supported the CHORD proposals.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
And so they should. That part of the CHORD project which relates to Colquhoun Square is both desecration of a lovely square and a recipe for snarled up traffic in the town centre.
It was ironic to hear Mars Mulvaney supporting Waitrose and arguing that the town centre would be ok, when his ‘kinky road’ project, as it is known locally, will provide a far greater threat to town centre retailers.
In the light of the Waitrose decision, the council now has a perfect reason to halt the CHORD project for the square and begin a re-examination of what should be done in the town centre in the light of the new circumstances.
I for one will not be voting for Councillor Mulvaney or the other two in May. Let him go back to his weekly Toyota photo call in the Dancevertiser!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Sensible decision at last from the council. There were ever only two sites for a new supermarket and petrol station (both of which Helensburgh badly needs) – the Waitrose site or the top of Sinclair Street. A supermarket at the pierhead would be Helensburgh’s volcano – better bury the town centre in lava!
I fear CHORD will destroy the town for retailers – better reconsider and spend the money making the pierhead attractive.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
supermarket in helensburgh centre? – lots of us will continue to shop at our big co-op
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It’s easy to grump about the Co-op, but despite the muttering it does serve Argyll pretty well – and I don’t think I’m imagining it to say that it’s improved its ‘offer’ steadily over the years
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I have got to say I think the Co-op is one of the most depressing places you could possibly shop in and I only do so once a fortnight. The other week I shop in Dumbarton. Don’t get me wrong I do support the town centre shops, I greatly believe in supporting local businesses, but I think the Co-op needs a wakeup call!
I know people are worried about Waitrose coming to town, but I think it will be a good thing in the long run, the town desperately needs a new supermarket and petrol station and I do think it will encourage people to spend and keep there money in the town. The trouble in the past is that the council take so long to make a decision and then end up doing nothing.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Could the Council planning committee have done(ie.voted) anything different today.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I wonder whether ‘mitgation’ acted as the proverbial carrot?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
There remains the issue of their professional planning officers’ recommendations.
Who would put planning decisions in the hands of the first fleet of woodentops rushing to approve it today?
That’s exactly what has been done.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I take it that the obvious incompetence and corruption (Dance) at play in this decision, combined with the rejection of professional planners advice, is not grounds for the Scottish Government to call it in?
That’s the only chance Helensburgh has now.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
mitigation and carrots – I do believe that more appropriate words would be anxiety and local elections
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think it is great news. The Co-Op service is awful and Tesco simply doesn’t stock what I always want, hence I receive a weekly online shop from Sainsbury’s Great Western Road branch. Least with a Waitrose, I can contribute more to the local economy and may have a reason for visiting Helensburgh other than Coast and catching the train to Glasgow and beyond. Wake up Helensburgh residents!!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
So what does the Co-op need to do to improve its service – and doesn’t Helensburgh support a reasonable deli in the town?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The town supports TWO excellent deli’s.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
And we are happy to testify to how good those delis are.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Try the steak pies from Callaghan’s Butchers – they’re superb!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
At last we agree! And CSB is right about Joe’s steak pies. Three good reasons for shopping in Helensburgh town centre already.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Your beloved Waitrose will put an end to them within a couple of years. Never mind, you can just go to the cafe there for your coffee instead.
Enjoy.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The Co-op needs to smarten its act up, its just like visiting a concrete jungle, the building looks tired and in need of modernisation. The inside was meant to have had an upgrade a few years ago, but I think they must be joking. The staff need to go on a motivational course,
because they always look depressed, but then you would working in there! You never see the shop manager either, I think he just keeps his head down in case he gets complaints from customers.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Seriously? As someone who took the matter seriously enough to be there, your representation of the day’s events is at best partial and probably disingenuous. Of the 400 attendees, I would estimate that (conservatively) estimate that 90% were vociferously in favour of the development. The Planning Officer’s objection (that the area was classified for a different class of business usage, and that it used land earmarked for, erm, business use )were correctly weighed against the requirementto allow the people of Helensburgh an alternative to Tesco amd the Co-op and to grow another 180 jobs in the town.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
And as to the next election, Vivienne Dance and Ellen Morton can probably sleep easy!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Having read this website for many weeks, it often makes me angry. Newsroom/editor seems to be firmly in the camp of those who tell us what is best for us and what we need – not what we like and what we want. Beware of what you wish for. Lincolnshire communities are now against town centre supermarkets having watched them effectively killing town centres. I understand the Portas shopping report cites the mix of shops for a High Street success or not.
At least my friends and I will not have to trek to Dumbarton once a week. I don’t mix coffee breaks with the weekly shop I prefer to get the freezer/fresh food straight home. Oh and the rest of the week I do use the local shops.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
vivienne dance and ellen morton would be at the front of the mob if was a stoning. andrew nisbet – blocks town centre supermarket and then opposes waitrose. lib dems cover both options. unsung hero is james robb who got mitigation ramped up – dance was willing to sell out for £12k. overall a victory for public opinion.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
If the dots get joined correctly i.e The CHORD Project, Waitrose Development, Pier Development, Kidson Park and Rhu Marina Developments then there is a real chance Helensburgh could well become a destination station for locals , visitors, tourists etc and the prize could well be a vibrant , buzzing town that will have something for everyone.
In my ten years living in Helensburgh I have been overcome with the negativity surrounding any proposed changes whilst the town declines at an alarming rate. The time for change is now otherwise local business wont have to worry about ‘out of town’ influences as the continued transformation to a bland featureless desolate desert will more than likely attract few interested parties.
Planning and change rarely satisfies 100% of the people but surely the proposals on offer have the ability to generate a better future and town for all of us or play the honesty card , return heads to the sand and pretend that it will be all right.
‘Change is Constant’ so all aboard The Happy Bus and let’s make it a better and happier town to live in and promote.
It might just work you know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Totally agree Mr McCallum,as far as I could see, there was always a big support for Waitrose’s application and I, for one, am delighted at this development.
Currently, Helensburgh residents travel to Dumbarton for ASDA or Morrisons (or even M&S)- this might keep that business and more in the Town. Our local shops may even benefit ?????
Another Petrol station ? Oh, yes please !!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Well I am not happy about the Waitrose location, I think it is the wrong place and it WILL have an impact on the town centre that will be far outweigh the 860k bribe that they were foreced to pay. People will lose jobs, and businesses will close down, this will take time, probably about 5 years from now, and you may live to regret it. The prices at Waitrose are actually inline with the Co-OP so there will not be any saving there, although you can’t argue with having more choice on offer, however I wonder if people have fully thought this through.
If Waitrose is a big success and this closes down Tesco and the Co-OP because of lack of trade then we are going to be left with two empty properties. The Co-OP in particular is a very large space to fill and it is unlikely that anyone other than another supermarket would pick this up. If say Asda or Tesco were to take it over, and transfer the staff then that would be great, but what happens if they dont? The staff in the Co-OP and Tesco will lose jobs and any increase in employment will be negated if that was to happen, so effectivly we will be just as bad as we are now.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It is not about Waitrose v the Co – Op or Tesco it has to be about the bigger picture and overall job creation so yes maybe there will be earlier losses but overall growth through joined up development has to equate to enhanced opportunity.
As for the Co – op site why just a supermarket, why not Halfords or another High Street retailer Gap, Next M&S, great location , center of town, super parking arrangements, train station adjacent etc. Big Picture is required and why shoot for the moon when we should be shooting for the stars and then let us see where we fall.
Think Big, Think Positive – Think We can do this!!!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It’s surely unlikely that Waitrose – despite its ‘value’ range – will put the town centre Co-op out of business, isn’t it?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It’s the crap service and poor choice at the co-op that will put it out of business, It doesn’t need any help from anyone else
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
…..and the prices- most items purchased at Lochgilphead Coop (apart from the Coop value muck) are actually cheaper in Waitrose stores!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
David McCallum. Get real, this is Helensburgh we are talking about not somewhere like Dumbarton or Clydebank. If any of those clothing retailers would locate anywhere first, it certainly would not be Helesburgh. There are plenty of locations in Dumbarton that they could use but none have tried to open up there, and with there being a much bigger pool of people in Dumbarton it would make much more economic sense. The Co-Op building would be way to large for somewhere like Halfords or next or GAP anyway.
Robert Wakeman. I think it is alwasy a possibility about to much trade being lost that it cannot be ruled out, however Waitrose is not known for good value for money so this is quite unlikely to happen. There is more chance that people will return to the Co-Op and regret allowing Waitrose to come to town in the first place.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
siting Waitrose in east Helensburgh will not increase football to the town. Nor will it create new jobs. As the consumer spend is finite all it means is that some money spent in Helensburgh but more likely in Dumbarton will now be spent in Waitrose.
Consequently any jobs created at Waitrose will result in fewer jobs in Asda and Morrisons in Dumbarton.
bearing in mind that Dumbarton is the third poorest area in Scotland is there not a moral imperative on us to support Dumbarton where the loss of up to 180 jobs will have a devastating effect on these families who in all probability struggle much more than most Helensburgh families?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
No.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
If Lochgilphead Co-op is mostly cheaper than Waitrose then Waitrose must be very expensive. I suspect that the quality of Waitrose own brand goods will be far superior to that of Lochgilphead Co-op.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0