AN ICONIC feature of Helensburgh’s seafront is set to disappear into history to pave the way for the town's £17m pierhead redevelopment project.

An Argyll and Bute Council report recommends that the lease granted to Codona’s Amusements for its site next to Helensburgh pier should not be renewed.

The firm’s existing lease expires in November – but councillors were asked this week to not to grant a new one as the authority prepares for work to start on plans for a multi-million pound “centrepiece” for the town on Helensburgh’s waterfront.

The recommendation was endorsed by members of the authority's Helensburgh and Lomond area committee on Thursday.

Councillor Ellen Morton, chair of the committee, has fond memories of the amusements, but believes times have moved on.

She said: “I personally have very fond memories of Helensburgh’s shows, especially the waltzers. I went there as a young Girl Guide and my children enjoyed them too.

“I know the Codona family kept a kindly watch that the children were safe and there was rarely any trouble there.

“Sadly, however, I think that the world has moved on since then and, as area chair, I expect to move the officers’ recommendations.

“We need to develop the whole site in a holistic way and the design must produce something which will create a stunning centrepiece for the town centre. I also think that young people today look for bigger, scarier rides than can be provided in a town centre space and go to enormous theme parks not to local amusements with a few traditional rides.”

Vivien Dance, a director of the Helensburgh and Lomond Chamber of Commerce and a former Argyll and Bute councillor for the town centre, said: “The fact that the amusements would not be there as part of the future plan for the pier was decided during the first consultation round on this project.

“There was little support to retain the amusements, most people feeling they are tired and in need of a major revamp to improve their physical appearance.

“It is the end of an era, though.

"The family firm of Codona’s have been there for many, many decades and in the past provided a focal point for residents and visitors down on the pier and lots of fun for youngsters of all ages.

“Times move on, though, and change is inevitable – unless of course local councillors take a different approach, or just follow the lead of those who made the decision some time ago.”

Local historian Stewart Noble said he sympathised with the Codona family, saying that while the amusements were run down, he understood that they couldn’t invest when their licence was only renewed on an annual basis.

He said: “I am not sure how big an attraction the amusements are. They are a little run down but I understand that updating them is very expensive.

“Some people would regret their absence and others would be pleased.

“Amusements are associated with the seaside but there are other bigger piers, Hastings, for example, that are very successful and don’t have amusements.”

Argyll and Bute Council currently allows the site immediately south of the town’s swimming pool to be used for amusements, an arrangement which has been ongoing for many years.

However, the Codonas’ current license expires on November 20 – and while the council has been content to renew it on an annual basis until now, the report to Thursday's committee meeting said there would need to be a cessation of the licence to allow for the planned pierhead site redevelopment.

Area committee members discussed taking full possession of the site in preparation for the redevelopment, with no new licences to be considered after this season.

The council’s depute leader, Helensburgh Central councillor Gary Mulvaney, who is also the authority’s policy lead for strategic finance and capital regeneration, said: “This is a large construction project on the waterfront and as we move forward, it is important that we have a clear site to carry out any ground and site investigations that may be required.

“Obviously you need access to do these things, so the report recommends that this will be the final year of what has been an annual licence.

“In terms of the loss of the current amusements, I think there will be mixed views from the public on this. Some liked it, others didn’t. My focus is to drive this project forward.”

The Advertiser attempted to approach Codona’s Amusements for comment but were unable to reach the company before this issue went to press.