A group of local businesses are attempting to establish a think-tank in Clarkston. This would be totally separate from the BID group that is linked to East Renfrewshire Council.

It is believed that this group of businesses have been uncomfortable with the activities or lack of by the BID group. The following is an advert issued by the new group.

"A warm invitation to all local businesses, professional practice units and concerned members of the Clarkston community who are keen to ‘stop the rot’ and preserve the life blood of what we know CAN BE a viable place to live, work in and visit.

We are a group of successful local businesses eager to set up an independent ‘think- tank’ to discuss a way forward for the town and safeguard the future success of our respective businesses.

We are in no way linked to the local authority or any other business group in the area. We simply have a strong interest in exploring whether our combined business expertise and area knowledge can help us to identify simple solutions to the many detrimental issues which are threatening our livelihoods.

If you share our concerns, please join us in Cafe Roma on Tuesday 6pm on 6th May and give us your views.

Kindest regards.

Marie Baines Allen and Harris
Debra Clapham Claphams Solicitors
Tickety Boutique
Café Roma"

A little bird tells me that this meeting was well attended with a member of Clarkston CC and 15 Clarkston business owners turning up.

Also in attendance were Giffnock Community Council members Jim Martin, Bill Crawford and Savio D'Souzo who were their to support the Clarkston businesses.

Great to see Giffnock CC getting involved in..Clarkston?

Of course an ex-Giffnock CC member has already carried out a survey of business owners in Clarkston, to see how they thought the BID was working for them, and if it was a good idea. They were shocked at the negative feedback received from almost 100% of the shop owners.

I think BIDS have to be a good idea, but it's all down to how they are run...if they are just ERC puppet organisations, probably not much point, all they will do is generate PR shots for councillors.

To my knowledge, from two business owner who were in attendance, most people there were very suspicious that the three Giffnock office bearers, who arrived en masse, were only there to steal ideas and take them back to the Giffnock BID.
But they made it so obvious they were also there to report back to their political masters in ERC, Cllrs Fletcher and Waters.

But they needn't have bothered because the girl from the local facebook page was in attendance and she would report back all that was said to Cllr Waters