In reply to Martin W:
"If you're suggesting that it's still not viable ie the council are going to end up subsidising the place, then I can imagine at least one commercial wall nearby which could justifiably feel aggrieved at having to face unfair competition. "
in reply to Dr U Idh
"No more unfair competition than other sports/leisure/entertainment facilities which also have to "compete" with the council. "
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I would agree that many businesses attempt to "compete" with the Council, however the Council do not compete on equal terms with businesses. To quote from (page 12 again of the Editorial comment in) tonights Evening News...
"...the council can minimise its risks to SOME degree, although even if the centre were to operate at a MANAGEABLE LOSS it would not be a great disaster..."
This is not competition since the Council is using OUR collective monies to finance an already shakey business and is prepared to run it at less than cost in order to "save around 60 jobs" (page 5) and to provide a facility that will be of value to the "public, sports and business communities".
In the event of there being no other competition this could be considered beneficial however there is "at least one commercial wall nearby". Alien Rock is directly affected by the subsidising of Ratho - it already employs up to 20 staff and has survived for the past 11 years without ever over-spending and being bailed out by the banks or public purse, as opposed to the 4 months the Ratho Quarry Company lasted. For many years Alien Rocks desire to expand into more suitable premises has been frustrated by the unpredictable whims of Rathos managment team which saw fit to rashly throw money at their project, with no apparent financial reality in sight.( I'm sure there was even talk of 350,000 visits per year - from climbers !)
This volatile climate does not give value to anyone since it stifles sustainable growth for the benefit of the short term, "lets have the worlds biggest" mentality. This comes at a cost: whether it be to the worlds largest bank (HBoS); the ill informed investors (David Taylor ?);the bankrupt sub-contactors(many); the sustainability of the competitors wall(Alien Rock);the taxpayers (of Edinburgh)who would rather the money was spent on something else; the visitor(Joe Public) driving miles to a wall in the middle of nowhere and the climber( YOU !)wondering why the non-climbing owners havent changed some of the routes for 12 months.
The Editorial finishes with ... "With sound management ,and with a viable buisness plan a fully operational facility of this type SHOULD generate not only revenue for itself but for the city as well".
Aye right !