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SHOP owners have admitted that Stornoway town centre looks drab and grubby.
But many agreed it is their responsibility to look after the appearance of their buildings.
"I realise that there is a problem with graffiti but it should be the responsibility of the shopkeeper to erase it off immediately," said one businessman.
"It only takes a brush and pail. If it is not wiped off, it will only encourage others to do the same."
Graffiti and vandalism were a major concern among those interviewed by the Gazette but many were optimistic that the introduction of Close Circuit Television Cameras will help tackle the problem.
"I am personally very worried that we are losing the town centre," explained Billy Flower who runs Sportsworld.
"If we got two thirds of redecorating work paid for, it would help. I am also concerned about vandalism but I think CCTV will be another help, however the town needs a lot more."
He added: "I would like to see more ways of encouraging businesses to support the town centre. Just look at the shops which are up for sale and windows which are covered up.
"The town centre is being penalised. We are trying to attract customers to shop but businesses moving away and carparking charges isn't going to help customers."
Mrs Mary Scaramuccia of the Coffee Pot also agreed that businesses were abandoning the town centre.
"Many of the shops are closing down. We are still one of the lucky ones."
It seems to be a vicious circle. Shops are trying to attract customers to buy their goods. But customers seem to want more variety and prefer to shop on the mainland or use mail order catalogues.
"I think that part of the duty of people living on an island is that they should buy the goods here but only if they are at realistic prices," said Anne-Lise Engebretsen who runs This and That.
She explained small shops had the expensive burden of transporting goods from the mainland.
"There is the high freight costs on the ferry and we have high business rates," Ms Engebretsen said.
Mr Eric Geddes, owner of electrical shops Maciver and Dart Ltd and N. D. Macleod Ltd, said he was selling a lot more "just to stand still."
"There has been a downward trend in sales since 1990 as with the rest of the country," he said.
"The town is totally grubby. We have stayed clear of putting metal bars in front of our windows because they don't look nice.
"We need to attract tourists and get more people to stay around the town centre."
Original article Stornoway Gazette Apr 19 1997.
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