A FUNFAIR operator in Largs says the Scottish Government decision to keep children's fairground rides will cost him £30,000.

Quilly Clark, who runs the popular seafront rides in Largs, says he will be massively out of pocket if the rides can't reopen in August.

Funfair attractions in Millport have also had to shut, sparking a furious reaction from owners there.

Amusement rides were initially allowed to open for business on July 15, only for them to be shut down on July 23 amid a Scottish Government u-turn.

Quilly, who has run the popular seafront rides in Largs for many years, told the News: "A lot of the rides are for children - and there is no social distancing requirements for kids under 12 - so why do they have to close?

"During the last few weeks people have been coming out again to enjoy the sunshine and the last few weeks of summer. Now funfair rides are likely to be closed for the remainder of the school holidays, which is a disaster for me.

"It is madness that Mackerston Swing Park is open but I can't operate.

"We have hand sanitiser and proper social distancing restrictions in place, I don't see any of that at the swing park.

"I have got bills to pay including insurance, electricity and winter storage, and have just spent £1,000 getting hand sanitiser stations and other safety measures in place. It is farcical to close us down, It doesn't make sense that bars and restaurants can re-open and yet funfair rides are closed despite being outdoors."

A spokesperson for Garrison Funfair in Millport said the decision to close them down was 'appalling'.

They added: "Prior to opening this season, we took advice from North Ayrshire Councils’ environmental health department on the policies and procedures required to have in place for safe use of our equipment.

"We were given permission to open and traded for two weeks. We have adhered to all COVID-19 policies and procedures, with a range of measures in place, and find the decision to close us appalling.

"The funfair has been in Millport for almost 50 years and has been a familiar sight for many families visiting the island.

"Our season has already been significantly shortened, and this will cause further uncertainty for us, in what is a seasonal business in a fragile economy.

"We hope for some common sense to prevail on the matter."

As well as the funfair being shut, the island's swingboats, trampolines and orbiter cars must stay closed.

Largs councillor Tom Marshall called for immediate help for Mr Clark and other operators.

He said: "It is obvious that the SNP are not concerned for the future well-being of local businesses who are struggling to stay afloat.

“I am appalled at the way in which these these local businesses have been treated. They have spent large sums of money providing sanitiser, safety signing and employing staff and have been operating successfully for just over a week before being ordered to close.

"It is particularly galling when places like Mackerston, with no sign of sanitising nor social distancing, are packed most days.

"Something needs to be urgently done to address this."

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said it was "unfortunate and regrettable" that conflicting advice had been given out.

She said "We will move to reopen Scotland's funfairs when it is safe to do so.

"Unfortunately, there had been conflicting advice issued. The regulations are quite clear about a specific reference to funfairs and they are not able to open at this stage."

The Scottish Government say they will be working with the Showmen's Guild and individual funfair operators regarding reopening.