Feeling pinch as ferry loss hits far north businesses
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BUSINESS owners are demanding Serco Northlink provides a replacement passenger vessel to sail from Scrabster to Stromness before the damage to the Caithness economy becomes irreparable.
Passenger services haven’t run between the two ports for seven days since the Hamnavoe was put out of action with a broken crankshaft on its starboard engine.
The revelation that the ferry will not be repaired for another three weeks has caused dismay in the far north and businesses are calling on the firm to find a replacement quickly.
Cups tearoom owner Ros Campbell said the lack of action has already hit her plans to extend opening hours to cover the evening ferry service that departs Scrabster.
If a replacement vessel is not found soon, it will impact on how many staff she will be able to hire, she claims.
“When the initial breakdown happened I had a small concern but when I heard that there was no replacement vessel in place, I got worried,” she said.
“As the tourist season is starting, we were increasing our staff and extending our opening hours to accommodate the tourists that come on the ferry.
“We’ve already hired extra staff to bring our total to 12 but I have also hired students to work here during the summer.
“We cannot do that without the ferry trade and this has affected our plans – it has cut our day down by three hours.”
Mrs Campbell was disappointed the ferry firm recommended passengers use its ferry services from Orkney to Aberdeen, claiming the priority should be finding a replacement vessel.
“Their suggestion of using services in Aberdeen is no use to us as, with the rundown of Dounreay, the economy can’t afford to have incidents such as these happening.
“I would ask Serco Northlink to consider how the lack of action regarding a replacement vessel is affecting the area.
“I’m surprised in this day and age of risk assessments, there is no contingency plan in place.”
Bed and breakfast establishments and hotels on both sides of the Pentland Firth have also reported a downturn in guests.
Murray House, on Granville Street in Thurso, has already had two cancellations as a result of the loss of the ferry.
Operator Angela Williamson said 80 per cent of her guests were not aware Pentland Ferries existed and it was important to publicise the service between Gills Bay and St Margaret’s Hope.
“The loss of the Hamnavoe has already had an effect – a lot of my guests that stay here plan to travel to Orkney.
“It is a disgrace that Serco has allowed this to happen despite being supported by the Scottish Government.”
Captain’s Galley chef Jim Cowie said even businesses which do not rely directly on the ferry service will be affected by the disruption.
“It is an absolute farce,” he said. “The Scottish Government should have made it a point in the contract to ask what happens if a ferry breaks down.
“If it wasn’t so serious to the community, we would be calling it a joke, but this is no laughing matter.
“Businesses in Scrabster and Thurso depend on the ferry. My restaurant doesn’t have direct business from it but I’d be kidding myself to think this will not have an effect on us. If the service is not bringing passengers and money, even locals won’t be eating in restaurants or drinking in the bars.”
Vice-chairman of Caithness and Sutherland Federation of Small Businesses, Bert Macleod, is a driver with Ormlie Taxis, which is running four taxis a day from Thurso railway station to Gills Bay.
He is also urging a vessel to be put in place before ferry passengers from further afield look elsewhere than Thurso to sail to Orkney.
“Passengers from Orkney who use the service to Scrabster on a regular basis may decide to start going to Gills Bay or Aberdeen in future which would have a knock-on effect in the town.
“The Scottish Government is not taking enough action and a lot of people feel let down.”
