Retailers on West Blackhall Street, one of Greenock's most vibrant shopping destinations, are facing dire challenges as Christmas approaches. Many business owners express their urgent need for local support to boost sales during this festive season, especially following the completion of significant renovations aimed at revitalizing the area.
The street fully reopened to vehicles and pedestrians at the end of last week after enduring months of disruption due to its £3.2 million redevelopment project. This overhaul was intended to make West Blackhall Street more attractive to shoppers, but the anticipated influx of customers has yet to materialize. Chris Jewell, who has owned the baby boutique Cradle Care for 29 years, lamented, "Footfall is so low; it has never recovered since Covid."
Jewell notes the challenges have persisted, primarily due to the locals shifting their shopping preferences toward Port Glasgow's retail park and online platforms. He emphasized the loyalty of his late wife Sandra's customers, who keep returning, something he attributes partly to the fond memories created over the years.
On the other hand, Hassia Chalmers, owner of Sovereign Jewellers, voiced her frustrations over dwindling customer traffic fueled by parking difficulties. "We always relied on an increase in trade at Christmas, but the parking is awful," she shared. Notably, since the closure of the cruise ship terminal and its relocation, the once-thriving flow of tourists buying traditional Celtic jewelry has dried up.
Residents are urged to come back to Greenock town centre now the street is fully accessible, but some business owners like Chalmers indicate they're considering their futures after facing significant losses. Earlier this year, she reported losing £10,000 during the summer, prompting her to reconsider her options. She added, "I think this is my last year." The decline has been stark, considering businesses previously thrived during the festive season.
The situation is similar for Jackie Stewart, who previously operated a beauty salon for 18 years. "It is not just Greenock; it is the same everywhere, but I always say shop local first," she said, highlighting the importance of community support during the holidays. Stewart, now working another job, still takes on clients out of loyalty, reflecting the bond many local business owners share with their patrons.
While the concerns of these shop owners are echoed by several stakeholders, Inverclyde Council maintains its belief in the redevelopment efforts. A council spokesperson shared, “West Blackhall Street had seen much brighter days, and there was widespread acknowledgment something had to be done to make it more attractive for both shoppers and businesses.” They believe the project will eventually reinvigorate the area.
Despite the challenges faced by long-standing businesses, the council has worked to provide £160,000 of one-off grants to nearly 60 small and medium-sized businesses impacted by both the inflation crisis and the redevelopment. The authority is also focused on nurturing existing businesses and encouraging new ones to open, bolstered by the successful establishment of several new outlets recently.
Both Jewell and Chalmers are committed to turning the situation around. Jewell, who also sits on the town centre regeneration forum, has plans to organize events on the street to entice customers back, sharing his experience from previous Christmas seasons where events attracted crowds and helped business. "We need to make the most of it," he stated about the town’s potential to draw local shoppers.
The renewed hope for West Blackhall Street rests on these collective efforts to re-engage consumers and revive local pride. With Christmas less than 48 hours away, the time is ripe for residents to rediscover their local shops and support the community by bringing their festive shopping back home.
Only time will tell if these local retailers can turn their fortunes around as they look to the New Year with optimism and renewed determination.
