Businesses won't let bridge closure beat them as new campaign launched

Kirkcudbright businesses are "shouting from the rooftops" that the town is still open for business.

- STUART GILLESPIE

Traders have reported footfall is down by as much as 40 per cent following the closure of the town's bridge in March due to serious safety concerns.

A new social media campaign has now been launched urging locals and tourists to “discover more than just a detour” in the “vibrant” town.

Flyers and banners are also on the cards.

Chris Walker from The Selkirk Arms said: “There's a sense of we're not going to let this bridge beat us.

“We're the jewel in the crown of Dumfries and Galloway and we've just got to shout from the rooftops we're open for business.

“The town is certainly feeling the impact of that bridge closure.

“I walked round it and it was eerily quiet for this time of year.

“Every shop I went into - from the post office to the galleries - were all reporting footfall was down.”