Jim Clark Rally. PS

Huttonian is reluctant to bang on about the JCR and its 'great success' in disrupting life in Duns but he has to mention the sad case of one restaurateur whose business is just off the market square. She, in anticipation of a profitable weekend (as she had before enjoyed in Kelso in a previous establishment) laid on extra staff and imported more exotic food. Bookings for the weekend were excellent from visitors to the Rally. On the day before it started she happened to have one of the organisers eat in her restaurant. He asked if she had seen the programme which she hadn't (a snip at £5) Well he said you will have to close all Saturday for your safety and most of Friday night. She pointed out that she had lots of reservations; they will have to be in your place before 6pm and can't leave until after midnight. But I tell you what you can do-set up a stall in the street market and sell stuff that way. Oh I assume this is a form of compensation for effected businesses? Not exactly, it will cost you £300.

She is still estimating the cost of business lost. Many cancellations and the rest she had to turn away and the extra staff paid of as well. No one had contacted her before hand to warn her of the disruption closing the street in which she had her premises-the event went past her door- nor had she felt the need to buy the Souvenir Programme having no interest in motor sport. The Berwickshire with its list of effected roads came out the day before the Rally.

She has suggested compensation from the organisers.

Will she get it?

If you are going to hold your breath I suggest you get

a ventilator


(The image is of one of the cars roaring through Duns at night-no doubt just passed the restauramt in question half a second before)

Labels: Duns disruption., Jim Clark Rally

  ¶ 9:49 AM