Letters / Lochside Motors
Many businesses are closing every day up and down the country, as austerity grips the nation.
The banking fiasco has still not finished, the UK credit rating has dropped and poor Ozzy (aka Geordie Osborne) does not know quite what to do next.
To make matters worse the pound has dropped in value triggering pump prices to rise.
Locally, however, businesses seem to be doing quite well and the jobs market seems to be fairly reasonable.
Regrettably, a renowned local car dealership has closed after many years of trading.
The dealership has been a tremendous asset offering a real ‘no frills’ experience when purchasing or selling your vehicle.
Furthermore, no particular manufacturer was favoured and they were also prepared to dabble in other types of transport, including motorbikes, pick-ups, etc.
Additionally, they even went further and ventured from time to time into caravans, trailers and jet skis (generally seasonal).
In fact you could say that this business model just could not fail and may actually have been copied in part by others, offering the ‘no frills’ selling experience. Some of these businesses are now global.
The failure of LOCHSIDE MOTORS is a real reminder that even the most successful businesses can fail in an exceedingly dramatic way, i.e. trading on a Friday – closed by Monday.
Finally, from what I can understand it appears that this forecourt will remain empty with no hope of a similar enterprise at this location for now.
The area appears so barren now when you drive past without the colourful mix of the motor industry’s greater and lesser achievements on display.
If anyone has thoughts regarding the sad loss of this valuable community asset and how it could re-emerge under a new guise I feel sure many would like to hear.
Perhaps Tesco could be community spirited and set aside a dozen or so spaces in their car park.
Sam A Squatch
Alberta
Canada
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