When the tough get going!
When the going gets tough, the tough get shopping!
A Consumers' Watchdog has been set up, thanks to the
initiative of Margaret McKie (Chair of Gracemount Tenants' Association).
She first raised her concerns about the range and
quality of shops in South Edinburgh at a South Edinburgh Residents'
Council (SERC) meeting several months ago. At a meeting on 1st August,
those present (including representatives of SERC, the Scottish Youth
Parliament and Liberton Community Council) agreed to form themselves
into South Edinburgh Consumers' Group. Lynne Tait, of Southhouse and
Burdiehouse Residents' Organisation, has agreed to Chair the group.
Public transport to shopping centres is one area where
the group believes there is scope for improvement. Wilson's Buses used
to ferry people from South Edinburgh to Savacentre, Asda and Safeway.
Now that this service has been discontinued, the group is going to write
to the Chief Executive of LRT to ask for a similar service to be
re-instated.
The group was also glad to hear about a proposal by
SEAG (South Edinburgh Amenities Group) to operate a small shoppers' bus
for elderly people this Autumn and Winter. They are in the process of
seeking funding to make this happen.
There was more good news from Janice Morrison (Social
Work Department). The Department currently operates a shopping service
for elderly people and people with disabilities in South -West
Edinburgh; anyone who qualifies for a home-help can apply to take
advantage of this service. The good news for South Edinburgh is that the
service is going to be introduced here in a year's time.
Councillor Sheila Gilmore also suggested that the
group contact the Council's Economic Development team; they can help
local shops in housing areas to tailor their service to the needs of the
local tenants and residents. It's a win:win situation, with shoppers
getting what they want and the shopkeepers doing better business!
If you have any shopping problems regarding eg. food
hygiene, over-pricing or items being sold past their sell-by date, you
should contact the Council's Environment and Consumer Services
Department on 469 5414.
If you would like to come along to the group's next
meeting, it is on Wednesday 12th September in South Edinburgh Local
Office.
If you'd like to find out more or would like a speaker
to come along and discuss the group's work with your local Tenants'
Association or other community group, please phone Scott at the South
Edinburgh Residents' & Tenants' (SERT) Support Project on 529 5197,
by email at scott@sert.southedinburgh.net or at the Local Office at 40
Captains Road.
| 
