Panasonic Inverness comes out against 'completely reckless' Academy Street plans
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The Panasonic Store Inverness is the second city centre business in as many days to take to social media to express their concerns about Highland Council’s “deeply troubling and completely reckless” Academy Street plans.
The long-standing Academy Street business is up in arms over the proposals to cut traffic by 75 per cent and effectively cut one end of the street off from the other. It would do that by diverting vehicles coming from the Millburn Road direction through Strothers Lane or for those coming from Church Street via the narrow Post Office Avenue.
On Monday, Inverness councillors will have to decide whether to progress the plans to the next stage or else restore the street to what it was before by removing the Covid-era bollards that extended the space for pedestrians.
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Staff at the Panasonic Store say the plan “threatens to discourage families from visiting our store and the surrounding shops, restaurants and bars” and comes at a time of “when businesses already face numerous challenges.”
So they have issued a “a heartfelt plea” to their customers, friends and family “for your support in opposing proposed alterations to Academy Street in Inverness by the Highland Council” to object via the online consultation.
The post stated: “As a long-standing business in the heart of our city, we have proudly served our community for over two decades. We take immense pride in offering a diverse range of products and services that attract customers from near and far.
“However, the proposed modifications to Academy Street, along with the repercussions for similar restrictions to Church Street, Queensgate, and Union Street, threaten to discourage families from visiting our store and the surrounding shops, restaurants and bars.”
The staff also expressed frustration why the council should wish to pile on the pressure when “businesses already face numerous challenges, these obstacles are simply beyond comprehension.
It continued: “We have all endured so much recently, and it is disheartening to witness the Highland Council dismiss the concerns of the very individuals who tirelessly operate businesses in the city centre.
“The so-called ‘consultation’ process by the local authority was nothing short of a shambles, leaving us feeling unheard and disregarded. We, the business owners, bear the brunt of all the risks associated with these plans.
“Conversely, the council risks nothing more than another poorly executed endeavour. This lack of consideration for the livelihoods of those who have invested their time, resources, and passion into the city centre is deeply troubling and is completely reckless.
“Like most other businesses in the city centre, we support change, we want change, we all want the City Centre to do well, but bulldozing through these extreme plans without so much as a trial period or any impact assessments simply must not go ahead.
“We implore you, our loyal customers, family and friends to stand alongside us and demand an immediate halt to these plans before it is too late to salvage our city centre.
“Your support is absolutely vital in ensuring that our voices are collectively heard and that The Highland Council comprehends the profound impact these changes will have on our businesses and the future of our cherished city centre and beyond.”
