A public consultation has launched for the public and businesses to give their views on what final additions they would like to see in the town's newly refurbished Burnside Square.

The square has undergone a transformation over the last 18 months following the installation of a flood attenuation tank as part of the town's £15 million Flood Protection Scheme.

The council carried out a consultation before the works started to ask people how they would like to see the area used. Forty-eight percent of respondents said they would like the square to be a flexible public events space and, when not being used for events, a public car park. The council has made several improvements and is now moving to the next stage of work, which is to seek feedback from the public about the finer details.


Argyll & Bute Council has also been in discussions with local businesses in the immediate vicinity to give them the opportunity to use designated areas of the square to create further outdoor seating and pavement cafés. The consultation will enable interested parties to come forward formally so that these plans can progress.

Contractors have reinstated the previous heritage-style lighting columns in the square and the council has placed some planters in the area ahead of final decisions on the layout. These have still to be filled, however, so there is an opportunity for community groups and/or businesses to sponsor these and/or volunteer to maintain them.

The consultation be be live on the council website from Friday 2 February until Monday 4 March.