Business time for Shawlands

The Shawlands Traders Association met for the first time this week to discuss their concerns over the Town Centre Action Plan.

Spokesman Eddie Spadi, who owns SEI Hairdressing on Trefoil Avenue, left the Shawlands Business Association because he believed the pace of change was too slow.

The businessman thinks the Action Plan is looking at the wrong places.

“They could cover the pavement in gold and it wouldn’t make a difference,” he said.

Since 2009 the council has looked at ways to improve the area, culminating in the publication of the Shawlands town centre action plan in May 2012 .

David Ross, director at Allied Surveyors Scotland on Kilmarnock Road, has called for patience with the plan.

He told The Extra; “It is going in the right direction but it is a slow process.

“ I am pleased to see action on the ground in terms of the restructuring of pavements. The sooner we see the next stage rolled out the better.

“We are working hard to make sure the Action Plan is moving and to keep pressure on the council.”

Meanwhile, David Meikle has responded to complaints from residents about roadworks during the pavement restructuring.

He told The Extra: “Roadworks are an inconvenience but it will be worth it in the end.

“When phase one of the public realm works finish we will have quality pavements, street furniture and lights.

“We are doing our best to ensure access to businesses is not affected and free parking is available at the shopping centre to compensate for the temporary loss of on street parking.

“I’m pleased to say that the footway on the other side is also being refurbished as part of the phase one public realm works.”