Keep calm and carry on shopping On Thursday 15 January after severe gale force winds overnight, Millport retained fire service were called out at 8.30am to Guildford Street where a chimney head had been damaged and was potentailly dangerous.

The road was quickly closed off between Reid Street and Clifton Street, and the post office, McArthur’s butchers, the Premier Store, and the Elderly Forum shop were unable to open. On Friday 16 January, scaffolding was erected and the road was re-opened but the pavement area remained closed.

On Saturday 17 January, a board was placed behind the barrier outside the butcher saying that “We are open, please stand here, and Craig will serve you.” Customers were able to stand outside the barrier and Craig McArthur from the butcher and Stephen Dobbin from Premier Store came out of their stores and attended to their customers.

This was service above and beyond, and one which Millport correspondent Mary Currie was able to take advantage of.

The entire chimney head, with around ten chimney pots, is to be demolished. On Monday the businesses were still closed but Stephen Dobbin said that they were hopeful that they would be able to open that afternoon or at least by Tuesday, as we went to press.