BUSINESSES on Arran have followed the lead of companies on the mainland to lend their support to the Herald’s Save our Ferry campaign.

As we reported previously, five businesses in the Three Towns and beyond have come out in favour of keeping the Arran ferry service in Ardrossan.

This week, four Arran businesses came on board to back our campaign: Arran Brewery, Brodick Cycles, Auchrannie Resort and the Douglas Hotel.

As yet, the island’s Co-op has refused to confirm whether or not it is in favour of the service being retained in Ardrossan.

Iain Leader, owner of Brodick Cycles, told the Herald that he would be supporting our campaign and hopes that money can be invested in improving the service at Ardrossan Harbour. He said: “We want a reliable service here and they’re spending all this money doing up Brodick but the weakest link in the chain is Ardrossan Harbour because it can’t always cope with it.

“If they provided a reliable service in the winter then it should definitely stay in Ardrossan. “Peel Ports have not put any money into Ardrossan Harbour for years, but it has a direct train link to Glasgow Central right on its doorstep. Moving the service to Troon would be very difficult for people on foot. “In recent years the ferry’s not been stopping at Gourock. That used to be the point of refuge, whereas they tend to just cancel it now. “Whether Troon is a more reliable harbour or not we don’t know. Certainly, it wouldn’t be a problem for people with cars but it could be very difficult for people who are foot passengers who rely on the service from Ardrossan. And it would certainly be a longer voyage time if it were in Troon.”

Gerald Michaluk, managing director at Arran Brewery, said he was keen for the service to remain in Ardrossan but that he would also like to see an additional ferry in Troon. He said: “Our stance is that it should be retained in Ardrossan but that doesn’t mean that a service can’t run from Troon. We’ve got new ferries which can just as easily sail from Troon, so why not have both? “I don’t think it should be removed from Ardrossan but I do think there should be another one added. We’ve certainly not got enough ferries and the ferries that are on are always full so why not add another service? “Troon has a brand new harbour which is perfectly capable of running ferries to Arran. It shouldn’t be a question of Ardrossan OR Troon, it should be Ardrossan AND Troon.” Auchrannie Resort in Brodick also backs our campaign.

Linda Johnston, Auchrannie’s co-founder and managing director, told the Herald: “As long as the people who own the port make the improvements and increase the reliability of the service then I believe it should stay in Ardrossan. “Moving it to Troon would cause all sorts of chaos. There might be more trains running from Troon but the station’s about a mile away from the port. “We’re all aware on Arran of the effect this move would have on Ardrossan. And, at the end of the day, how do we know the service will be more reliable in Troon? We could still have all the same problems. At least with Ardrossan, it’s a known animal. “Hopefully the new ferry will help, as long as they get the contract for the port improvements at Ardrossan.”

Elaine Campbell, manager at the Douglas Hotel said: “We’re in agreement I think, in keeping the terminal in Ardrossan, though as yet have to read up on the full pros and cons of Troon.”

The Co-op, which has a store on Arran, refused to rule out whether or not it would support our campaign. A spokesperson from the company said: “The ferry service forms an essential part of everyday life on the Isle of Arran and we shall be monitoring the proposed changes carefully.”