SOCIAL distancing barriers which “decimated” trade in Johnstone town centre have been removed by Renfrewshire Council. 

There had been complaints that the obstacles – put in place as part of an effort to tackle the coronavirus pandemic – were keeping shoppers away.

Shop owners in Johnstone have welcomed the decision to remove barriers in High Street and Church Street, with council chiefs also agreeing to ask businesses in Elderslie and Renfrew if they want similar action to be taken.

Allan Henderson, who is chairman of the Johnstone Business Consortium and owns Hendersons Flowers, told The Gazette: “The social distancing barriers absolutely decimated business in that part of High Street.

“I understand one business has reported that sales had been down by 70 per cent since the barriers were installed.

“We hope this decision to remove the barriers will improve trade in the town centre.

“It’s good to see the council has listened to us.”

Councillor Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch, had also been campaigning for the barriers to be removed.

He said: “This is exceptionally good news for local traders and the town of Johnstone.

“I think there has to be more consultation with local businesses in the future.

“I understand the council did say consultation about these barriers had taken place before they were installed but, when I spoke with local traders, they knew nothing about it.

“It appears the kind of consultation that the council tried to implement really didn’t work.”

The barriers in Johnstone were removed yesterday, with similar action taken in Glasgow Road, Paisley, earlier this week.

However, obstacles remain in place in Main Road, Elderslie, and Porterfield Road, Renfrew, as part of a £105,000 Spaces for People project funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Sustrans Scotland.

A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Council said: “Following the award of Spaces for People funding from the Scottish Government, immediate measures were put in place to widen footways at a number of identified locations, such as around pharmacies and food shops, to allow physical distancing to take place safely.

“The wider pavements ensure that residents can walk safely in these areas, while queues at businesses can be managed correctly without the need for alterations to be made to their premises.”

The spokesperson added: “We are continually reviewing these measures and will be contacting businesses in each area to assess the ongoing requirement for the barriers to remain in place.

“Their feedback will allow us to make informed decisions on the ongoing need for these barriers, with public health remaining our number one priority.”