With almost 100% shop occupancy rates and an interesting mix of specialist food and drink, charity shops and creative businesses - and featuring the historic facade of Dunoon Primary School - Hillfoot Street is a great place to visit and browse. However, ad-hoc parking arrangements, dangerous crossing points, bins blocking pavements and uneven pavement surfaces are all factors that conspire to prevent people walking along the street to shop.
Hillfoot Street is one of the main walking routes from the town centre to West Bay, but this is poorly communicated and the absence of road markings, signage and a safe crossing point at the end of Hillfoot Street to Jane Street reduces the ability of local people and school children to access West Bay safely, or to park away from the street and walk.
Local Place Plan
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Rationalise on-street parking to ensure there is priority parking for people with mobility issues, short stay and residents. Promote car parks close to Hillfoot Street on Jane Street, Church Street and off Ferry Brae to reduce on-street parking pressure.
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Consider working with partners to turn grass at the front of Dunoon Primary school into a biodiversity spot and educational resource that brings more greenery to the street and reduces the cost and disruption of grass cutting.
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Consider the development of a park and stride campaign from Glenmorag Car Park to Hillfoot Street and Argyll Street.
Community Action Plan
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Local stakeholders, including Argyll and Bute Council Economic Development Team, the Business Improvement District and Dunoon Community Development Trust to continue to work together to access funding for a collective marketing campaign for the town centre and shopping streets in the local area: ‘What’s in Dunoon’ (suggested by a shop keeper).
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Local stakeholders to continue to work with local businesses to market Hillfoot Street as a distinct shopping destination, highlighting the mix of small businesses, food, drinks and creative businesses.