Could a casino revive a former ferry town?

Controversial plans to attract a casino to a Scottish town which has suffered decades of decline have resurfaced.

Stranraer was first granted a casino licence in 2007 - but no operator ever came forward.

Now, 17 years later, the local council is asking if any operators are interested in applying to run a casino in the south west Scotland town.

The deadline is on Friday - but do local people think this is the right way to revitalise the port's derelict waterfront?

Opinions on the streets of the Wigtownshire town seem to be split on the question.

Steve Stringer, owner of The Sports Shop on George Street, says he has "mixed feelings".

The 54-year-old said it could be beneficial to the area, but said it depended on how it was "packaged into any waterfront redevelopment".

Mr Stringer added: "It might create more local jobs, but then it could also take a lot of money out of the local populous due to issues around gambling.

"I'm all up for something which brings more people to Stranraer.

"I feel we do have to try different things otherwise we'll never know."

Rod Baxter, who owns a gift and picture framing shop in the town, said he was also "on the fence" until any plans come forward.

However, he thought a casino could "rile some people" and split opinion.

The initial proposal was part of the Blair government's plan to create a new generation of gambling venues across the UK.

There were plans for eight super casinos and eight small casinos across the UK, with Stranraer the only place in Scotland to be given a licence.

At the time, councillors felt it might increase tourism from across the Irish Sea. The then local MP Russell Brown predicted it could "kick start" the waterfront's redevelopment.

Mr Baxter said he remembered the plans being talked about in 2007.

"They reckoned it would lead to a spike in tourism coming over from Northern Ireland, but whether that would happen, I'm not so sure," he said.

"We do need investment in the town, but we would have to question whether that's the route we want to go down."

William Loch has run his family's business in Stranraer for more than 50 years.

He believes it would "do good" for the area and increase tourism.

The 79-year-old said: "Stranraer is declining at the moment. It really needs a big boost and we really need more tourists.

"If it's part of plans to make the marina nicer, then a casino could bring a lot of money into the area - which is needed."

But 27-year-old retail worker Kyle McCready said he thought it would be a waste of public cash.

He was critical of the lack of investment into the waterfront since the last ferry port moved to Cairnryan in 2011.

He said: "Ever since Stena Line went to Cairnryan, Stranraer has been a ghost town and there is not much here.

"I don't see how a casino will pull in visitors. When people come in off the boats they turn left and go straight to Glasgow and Edinburgh, and I can't see that changing."

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