Businesses braced for new West Blackhall Street shutdowns

The first in a series of staggered road closures along West Blackhall Street, Westburn Street and Nicolson Street began on Monday.

The closures are currently set to last until September 30, though the full second phase of work is due to continue until March 2025.

And several business owners have spoken of their fear that footfall will plummet, takings will collapse, and their shops may not survive.

They say that financial support from Inverclyde Council was crucial to their businesses’ survival during the first phase of work – and that more of the same is essential to stave off "disaster" during phase two.

READ MORE: Greenock town centre streets close for two months amid works

Café owner Barry Balideh, who runs Chocolatte on West Blackhall Street, said the road closures put in place during the first phase of works had driven down customer numbers to such an extent that he was forced to close his doors for almost a month.

He now fears that the second phase could spell disaster for his business if support measures are not put in place.

He said: “It [the first phase] killed my business.

(Image: George Munro)

“It came to the point where no customers were coming in at all and I had to close for about three or four weeks.

“Once it was done, after about three months, they re-opened this part and I started getting back to where I was.

“For new businesses like me it’s very important that people can come to town and see that there’s a new shop here.

“I had to shut down last time. I fell behind on my rent and I fell behind on my bills for electricity and water.

“It had just started to go back to normal, and now today we’ve got them coming back to do the main part of the road for phase two, and everything’s repeating itself.

“I’m very stressed about it. I’m open now but we’ll see how it goes. If it’s like January again then it’ll be best for me to close down.

“If I were to stay open, I’d be losing thousands, and without support I’ll be facing disaster if it’s like it was last time.”

While the last round of works were taking place, Inverclyde Council set up a £100,000 resilience fund to support businesses affected by the upheaval and the cost-of-living crisis.

Barry believes the scheme helped keep his firm afloat and says he would welcome similar measures being put in place for phase two.

He added: “The money they made available paid two months of rent that I was behind. It would help if they did that again because I can’t pay for it all on my own.

“I can’t even afford staff right now because I’m a new business and it’s quiet.

“For this next phase I don’t know if it’s going to be the same scenario, if it’s going to be worse, or if they have learned from the mistakes last time. “

(Image: George Munro)

Trader Sandra McCorkell, who owns Hearts and Stitches on West Blackhall Street, moved her business to its current location just after the start of the first phase of the works and felt the brunt of the impact.

She supports the call for fresh support measures to be implemented.

Sandra added: “We opened in February at the height of the works and the weather was bad as well.

“Footfall was dreadful, sales were right down, and it was in a sense a really brutal time to move.

“But things did start to pick up again when winter was over.

“It put me quite a bit out of pocket at first. It must have cost me thousands.

“I was able to access some of the money they made available; you could do it online and it was all quite straightforward.

“If they did something like that again it would be absolutely brilliant. If not it’s going to be 'sink or swim' here.”

(Image: George Munro)

The second phase of works will see repairs carried out on cobbles along the high street, a new active travel route created, extra crossing points installed and new road markings added in. 

Greenock councillor Graeme Brooks, who previously attempted to get his fellow council members to pause the works following phase one, suggested that the council should consider offering extra help to the firms affected.

He said: "I'm disappointed that phase two is going ahead without a pause to consult with local businesses regarding the impact of phase one.

“Nevertheless, that is democracy, as I lost the vote by two votes to nine.

"This new work must be delivered hand-in-glove with the affected business to ensure minimal disruption.

(Image: George Munro)

"Taxpayers' money has already been set aside to support businesses affected by phase one, and if phase two causes that same damage to trade, we must consider further support.

"What is clear is that there cannot be a phase three. This key Greenock town centre street must be made fit for purpose, with adequate parking spaces for customers and delivery vehicles.

"The retail environment is hard enough without multiple road closures and unwanted cycle lanes."

An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: “Like with phase one, West Blackhall Street remains open for business during these important improvement works which aim to enhance the street to make it a more attractive and vibrant place to live, work, visit, and do business.

“We have many fantastic retailers and service providers in our town and village centres, and we would like to take this opportunity to encourage people to shop local and support local businesses.

“Funding was made available earlier this year to support small and medium-sized traders in and around West Blackhall Street with pressures caused by the cost-of-living crisis, as well as potentially being impacted by the ongoing regeneration works.”