Sir, – Dundee city centre has been referenced recently by MSPs and local councillors in articles about the Scottish Election and the closure of shops.
I think it relevant that there has been no mention of the 2015 Business Improvement District proposal which was set to deliver £1.5 million of new investment into the traditional city centre.
After all, BIDs are cross-party governmental policy which allow businesses to take matters into their own hands and collectively invest in their trading environment.
Last year, more eligible businesses voted for than against a BID with more than 100 backing a business plan that was to deliver solutions to many of the issues which politicians have raised of late.
All projects were identified by the business community through a thorough consultation.
To date, only one of the 60 BID projects is being delivered: a wild-in-art trail which is set to drive footfall to all corners of Dundee city centre this summer.
As some will know, despite a majority, those who voted no held a greater collective rateable value which meant the BID did not go ahead.
This was exacerbated by a significant voter abstaining at the last minute. Positively, a second BID proposal has been backed by the Scottish Government and consultation will commence this year.
In addition to allowing business owners a say in managing their city centre it will give the politicians an opportunity to engage and support the city centre businesses.
Neil Cooney.
15 Glenfeshie Road,
Dundee.
Perth should follow Krakow
Sir, – Having been at a meeting in the Royal George Hotel, Perth, and listened with great interest to all the comments and discussions regarding Perth city centre, it is indeed a huge economic concern, especially for the private businesses which are suffering from various contributing factors.
As we own property in Perth, naturally we are concerned.
I was just on the point of making a suggestion when the meeting drew to a close, but privately mentioned it to Murdo Fraser and Alexander Stewart that, indeed, the heart of Perth is the City Hall.
Having blown hot and cold on its future, I now see it as the focal point of the city and the potential catalyst to revive trading and interest in the city centre
Krakow in Poland, which had to re-invent itself after the war, is now a huge draw to tourists and locals.
In the centre of the old square stands a church and beside it a beautiful building called the Sukiennice which is one of the main attractions for tourists and locals.
Sukiennice means cloth hall and inside is the most amazing array of the best of Polish products beautifully and tastefully displayed.
Not only Polish costumes and dolls but also traditional food and drink: vodkas of every kind, amber and jewellery, art, decorations, souvenirs and carvings.
It is packed with people buying.
It is so obvious now that a main attraction for tourists and locals could be such a venue in the heart of Perth to showcase the best of Scotland from traditional clothing, to food, drink, whisky, jewellery, art, cashmere and woollens.
If this was displayed tastefully to a high standard and quality, it would not only create new businesses and jobs in town but also rekindle existing businesses.
Around the cloth hall, are many prospering restaurants and hotels, almost a carbon copy from which to glean potential ideas.
It goes without saying that something similar could regenerate the success of Perth and as an added attraction, perhaps the Stone of Destiny could be brought back and given a glass showcase to let the heart of Perth beat again.
Ann Sim.
The Lawns,
Lochty Terrace,
Blairgowrie.
Let Monarchy just fade away
Sir, – As a dedicated republican I never expected to see the day when I would feel obliged to defend a sitting monarch.
Mr Rankin of Methil (April 29) takes exception to her absence from the ceremony to commemorate the ANZAC war dead which was covered by another royal on the Queen’s behalf.
He takes no account of the fact that the lady in question is 90 years of age and the situation could have been avoided but for the absurdly-held notion that the Monarch should die in office instead of retiring like anybody else to enjoy some peace and quiet during her remaining years.
Longevity in a human being is down to genetic make up and she seems to have inherited much from her mother as her father was not so lucky.
Even the healthiest of us slows down as we grow older and there is nothing we can do about it.
It is time to forget the nonsense that the Monarch is called by God to serve the country and give Charles the opportunity to be the last royal to hold the office, and leave his descendants free to pursue their lives as ordinary citizens in careers of their own choosing.
The country could then claim to be a true democracy by having an elected head of state.
Allan MacDougall.
37 Forth Park,
Bridge of Allan.
Risk taking at Carnoustie
Sir, – As a Carnoustie Golf Links season-ticket holder, I am extremely concerned, as are many of my fellow golfers, of the wisdom of Carnoustie Links Management Committee’s efforts to drive through a restaurant and bar project at a cost of
£4.75 million.
I fail to see how it will be commercially viable and deliver any real benefit to the Carnoustie community.
Angus Council has allowed the revenues from our golf courses to be used on pet projects, the £2.1m spent on the golf centre in 2011 is a prime example and we are now being told that within five years of its construction, this is no longer what is required to meet the market requirements.
How can this demonstrate any level of strategic planning?
In addition, within 500 yards of the golf centre, there are two golf clubs and the Carnoustie Golf Hotel, plus the High Street hotels, each providing food and drink.
Surely there must be an opportunity for an integrated solution, at a much reduced cost, that supports and maintains the existing business footprint, while meeting all additional requirements.
The Carnoustie courses, managed by CGLMC, should be operated as the
jewel in the crown of Carnoustie.
The huge cash surplus generated year on year, should be reinvested in the town for the benefit of the residents and not used to feed the ambitions of trustees.
Carnoustie, its fantastic golf courses, skilled staff and community will never be St Andrews, we need to accept this fact, and focus on the most appropriate use of the revenues generated. Our golf courses are, after all, a community asset.
Is it necessary to spend £1.8m supplemented by a £3m commercial loan? CGLMC is putting Angus Council and season-ticket holders at risk.
David Bond.
25 Beech Grove,
Arbroath.
Questionable benefits
Sir, – Geoffrey Morris, University of St Andrews, takes Athole Stewart to task (April 29) for having the temerity to ask that the university clarifies the level of local carbon emissions anticipated from its Guardbridge biomass plant.
Mr Morris then resorts to obfuscation by quoting air-quality standards and regulations with which the plant will have to comply, none of which address carbon emissions.
I assume that the reason for this non-answer is that Mr Morris knows full well that burning wood produces over 25% more carbon emissions locally than does burning coal per unit (kWh) of electricity produced?
Why is this local emission data being kept hidden? Could it be that the environmental benefit claims being made are a nonsense in terms of the local environment at Guardbridge?
Dr GM Lindsay.
Whinfield Gardens,
Kinross.
Limitations of politicians
Sir, – I am having difficulty deciding how to vote in tomorrow’s election. The choice is mind-boggling.
I could choose someone wearing a hard hat, but should I insist on them holding a drill and wearing safety goggles?
The one swinging a golf club looks quite jolly as does the one downing a pint.
I think I would want to steer clear of the one thumping a punch bag and the quad bike driver looks similarly threatening.
It is an insoluble problem, I am sorry to say.
If only there were someone who could ride a buffalo or similar beast.
Gordon Burnside.
10d Tay Street,
Monifieth.
An insult to Dundee
Sir, – David Coburn, the UKIP leader in Scotland, is perfectly entitled to come to Dundee and seek to persuade the people of the city to vote for his party.
Those of us who live here are just as entitled to tell him that he is talking nonsense when he says that Dundee has been “left to rot” by the SNP.
Dundee is not rotting. The city is being renewed.
We are a beautiful and vibrant city with a lot going for us.
Of course, there is more that could be done, and politicians have made mistakes, but we should give credit where credit is due.
Visiting politicians should recognise that and not use us for cheap soundbites to advance their own fantasy politics.
David Robertson.
St Peter’s Free
Church,
4 St Peter Street
Dundee.
