Hamilton has walked into a commercial nightmare

Feb 19 2009 by Margaret Shaw, Hamilton Advertiser

I RARELY visit Hamilton town centre these days, but on our first good day this year I decided to walk from the top of the town (Cadzow Bridge) to the bottom (Hamilton Retail Park).

It really is an eye-opener.

Apart from the debacle at Cadzow Bridge itself, with half the shops knocked down, most of the shops in Low Waters, Gateside Street and the top of Quarry Street appear to be doing well. Hardly a To Let or closed sign in the area.

What a contrast with Lower Quarry Street, Cadzow Street and Castle Street. Even the charity shops are throwing in the towel.

The retail park, Asda etc are all busy.

The reason is fairly simple. Contrast Larkhall Main Street with Quarry Street. On the one hand we have a busy wee traditional Scottish town layout; on the other, a desert with a plague of letting boards.

In Larkhall, cars have access; Hamilton is pedestrianised.

Pedestrianisation for Hamilton – and I would say for most towns who have tried it – just does not work for the shops.

The town as far a retail centre is concerned is at a tipping point. It cannot stand further retail closures.

With the economic conditions as they are, many retailers will be struggling. Our planners need to react to this, and quickly.

Why not de-pedestrianise?

Gordon Hart, director, BT Localbusiness, Hamilton.