Thurso businesses missing out on cruise ship trade
A THURSO businessman has questioned how much trade the town centre gets from the arrival of cruise ships.
Café owner George Carson believes the amount of business is much less than may be supposed. And he defends traders not opening for the recent arrival of a liner on a Sunday.
The Highland Council lays on free courtesy buses for passengers and crew of the ships which berth at Scrabster harbour.
As well as day trips to Castle of Mey and other local attractions, they operate a shuttle service to the town centre.
Mr Carson, who is chairman of Caithness West Community Council, challenges the belief local businesses do well out of the cruise trade.
Speaking at its latest meeting in Scrabster, he said: "If you ask the traders in the town, they will tell you they don’t get much trade."
Scrabster harbour master Gordon Mackenzie, who had been invited to give an update on the port’s redevelopment, was surprised to hear this. "It’s not the feedback we have been getting," he said.
But Mr Carson responded: "I’m sorry but it’s true. If you ask Caithness Horizons, you’ll get really good feedback but if you ask the local traders and local shopkeepers, it will be very different."