'Road changes on Byres Road could force our 50-year-old family business to close'

Scott Richardson says the plans by Glasgow City Council to widen pavements, introduce cycle lanes and remove three parking spaces from outside Graham's Auto Centre on Byres Road could cripple the long-established company.

The business was set up by Scott’s granddad Gordon Richardson, 86, who sadly passed away last month.

Gordon Richardson (Image: Supplied)

Speaking exclusively to the Glasgow Times, Scott says the threat to the firm's future would have left his grandfather heartbroken.

He added: “The shop was my granddad’s pride and joy. He passed it down to my dad and me. Even when he retired, he’d spend every day here with us and knew all the customers by their first names. He just loved being around and helping out.

“Our shop has been here for over half a century, and we rely on cars stopping right outside. My worry is that if we lose this type of passing trade, then we simply won’t be able to continue.

“It’s upsetting because my granddad worked so hard to build up the company from nothing. A lot of our custom comes because people are able to park directly outside and pop in for wiper blades, oil, batteries, bulbs and other repairs. We really cannot afford to lose this, without it I worry we just won't survive.

“My genuine fear is that if people don’t have the convenience of stopping right outside they will just go elsewhere. I’ve been told we will lose three parking bays and I’m worried sick about the impact this is going to have on trade.”

Stuart and Scott Richardson (Image: Newsquest)

The major West End revamp includes a reduced speed limit of 20 miles per hour along with additional seating, upgraded pathways and an improved cycling infrastructure to encourage people to leave their cars at home – with work beginning on the first phase in January.

The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) includes the reduction of on-street car parking bays, the introduction of protected cycle lanes, additional disabled parking in the area and the removal of the left-turn filter lane at the junction of Byres Road and Great Western Road.

It’s understood the aim of the changes is to give priority to residents by preventing commuters from parking all day.

Scott, 30, said “I understand the need for some of the improvements, but it can’t be at the cost of our business. It’s at the stage now where I’m thinking about moving to another location in Glasgow.

“However, we own this building and having to rent somewhere else would cost us a small fortune. I’ve made my objections about this very clear and I know that the spectre of this caused my granddad a lot of stress before he passed away.

“As a family, our main priority is to keep the business going in the current location. I can only hope that people still come to us and manage to get parked nearby. Anyone who knows Byres Road though knows it’s a nightmare to find a space at the best of times, so, what’s it going to be like once work gets under way?

“Our customers will have to go to one of the side streets and they are pretty much always jam-packed with residents’ vehicles. We are still coming to terms with losing granddad and my fear is that we could end up losing the business he devoted his life to as well."

Scott told how Gordon died just two hours after the family was out celebrating his 30th birthday on October 9.

Gordon Richardson (Image: Newsquest)

He added: “We are still grieving and now we have to worry about this work starting in January. I understand the process has been going on for years with numerous consultations taking place, but it doesn’t change the fact that our business could go under as a result of what is planned.

“We fear that the next six months will be a very testing time for us as a family."

The Byres Road public realm project is jointly funded by the UK and Scottish Governments through the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region Deal. The designs will result in the road space being reduced by approximately 30%.

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “There has been ongoing and wide-ranging consultation over the plans to improve the public realm of Byres Road since 2017, with a number of consultation events specifically held for local businesses, to allow all stakeholders to give their views on the plans.  

“These changes will lead to far more attractive public spaces, with the area being easier to get around for people using a range of transport modes and will bring economic and environmental benefits to Byres Road.  In addition, the Traffic Regulation Order required to undertake the works was subject to a formal six-week consultation period from January to February 2020. 

“Research has shown that less than a third of Byres Road shoppers travel there by car, and of those who do, the majority park in side streets or car parks, so the availability of parking on this street is not a primary reason for going there.

"The introduction of a one-way system between Partick Cross and White Street means that a greater proportion of parking in this section of Byres Road has been retained, with only eight spaces to be removed between Partick Cross and White Street.”