'I set up a business in Inverclyde but revamping the area would give it a big boost'

A YOUNG businessman who moved to Inverclyde as a teenager before setting up a successful music shop in the town centre believes plans to spruce up the area could help stem the flow of people leaving the district.

James Haggart, who owns Reverence Music in the Oak Mall, came to Inverclyde when he was 16 to study at West College Scotland.

After meeting his partner in Greenock, James decided to remain in the area and has since set up his own business here.

When asked by the Telegraph about how younger generations could be encouraged to stay in Inverclyde or even move to the area, the 29-year-old said: “I think a lot of it depends on where your ambitions are, there are probably jobs in the area but if someone is wanting to really progress in a career in something like finance then they’re going to have to go to Glasgow, Edinburgh or even further afield.

“For me, maybe it’s just optimism, but I think my part of Greenock has been getting better over the time I’ve been here.

“I hope that can be a trend for the area, the council are trying to improve the aesthetic of the town centre and it’ll depend how that washes out in the end.

“Things like that could be a huge factor, having plans to aesthetically improve the face will make people more likely to feel good about the place and want to stay here.”

On his own decision to move to Inverclyde, James highlighted the relative difference between Greenock and his home town in terms of opportunities.

He added: “Comparatively, Greenock had more in it than Dumbarton at the time and probably still does.

“I felt like I had enough knowledge and experience in what I wanted to do to set up a business and I felt there was a gap in the market here.

“I’ve heard a mixed bag of opinions in terms of whether Inverclyde is a good place to start a business.

“I spoke to the council initially when I was setting up here and I think they can be accommodating.

“I’m probably a bit different in the sense I’m not so bothered about being in among the busyness of the city or the nightlife and maybe that’s what draws people to the city because there’s more to do in that way.

“I don’t know if I’d have stayed necessarily if I hadn’t gone down the unique route of opening something here.

“It’s not a path that many people choose and it’s not something everyone can do.”