Saturday, February 12, 2011

carlisle road

Could Dumbarton‘s *Trompe L'Oeil scheme rescue Carlisle Road?

[IMG]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/gerryess/carlisleroad.jpg[/IMG]

Dumbarton in the west of Scotland is to install fake shop fronts to disguise high street stores left vacant in the economic downturn.

West Dunbartonshire Council believes the £20,000 pilot scheme will "improve the look" of the area and is a better alternative to boarded up shop fronts. Two shopjackets already installed, a butchers and a new delicatessen in Dumbarton’s town centre will give the impression that the stores are still occupied.

A similar scheme previously used in England was Whitley Bay which saw a 50% reduction in vacant shopfronts.

Jim McAloon, head of regeneration and economic development at West Dunbartonshire Council, said: "It is no secret that high street shops are struggling in the current financial climate, and across the UK it is estimated that around 13% of stores are vacant.

"Dumbarton has a proud history stretching back to its time as the capital of the ancient kingdom of Strathclyde. However, the rise of out-of-town shopping centres has threatened its commercial prominence.

"As a council we need to be on the front foot to do whatever we can to support our businesses and town centres, especially during these tough economic times.
"Boarded-up shop fronts or vacant stores can have an erosive effect on the high street, bringing down the appearance of the area for existing businesses and turning shoppers away."


*Trompe L'Oeil, pronounced "trum ploy" its meaning translates "to deceive the eye”