One of Dundee’s oldest attractions is facing a cash crisis because of “overkill” security arrangements for Commonwealth Games athletes staying at City Quay.
The Unicorn, which sits in the old dock, has lost 200 visitors this month compared to previous years.
The charity relies heavily on sightseers to keep the ship afloat and could face a cash crisis if it is not able to make up the shortfall in later months.
The dramatic drop in visitors follows the introduction of security measures around the Apex Hotel where Commonwealth Games shooters are staying while theycompete at Barry Buddon.
West Victoria Dock Road the normal route for reaching the Unicorn has been sealed off with concrete blocks, steel fences and CCTV units.
Dozens of police officers including some carrying firearms are also patrolling the roads around City Quay, supported by private security staff.
In 2013, the frigate enjoyed 456 visitors in the same weeks that the security arrangements have been in place this year it has had just 256.
Bob Hovell, the manager of the ship, said the security measures were to blame for a drop in visitors to the Unicorn.
He told The Courier: “I have checked the figures and our visitor total from this month is almost half what it was last year.
“But with the road totally closed, many people aren’t realising that you can still reach us and are just turning round and going home. A lot of our visitors are from out of town and would not know the area and the diversions well.
“We also get a lot of visitors from the Apex and obviously, with that being full of athletes, no one is coming from there either.”
Mr Hovell said visitor numbers were “through the floor” and that the ship, which is run as a charity, could face a financialcrisis if it could not make up the visitor numbers later in the year.
“We simply cannot afford to take a hit like this,” Mr Hovell said.
Mr Hovell’s claims follow those of a number of City Quay businesses who said they were seeing tumbling profits after the security arrangements were introduced.
One popular restaurant, the Blue Marlin, has even had to let two team members go as it lost more than a quarter of its business last week.
Deputy Chief Constable Steve Allensaid: “Security measures at venues are essential to delivering a safe and secure environment for local residents, gamesathletes and visitors.
“The measures at any individual venue have to be seen in the wider context of the Commonwealth Games and are protecting from threats which include international terrorism, organised crime and natural disaster.”