More than a month since the completed CHORD works were officially unveiled, some business owners on the front have failed to recover footfall following close to three years of disruption.

Parking issues and bad weather have also been reported to have contributed to a drop in trade this summer, and retailers fear planned works on the pier head will further impact business.

The Helensburgh and Lomond Chamber of Commerce and councillors say a lack of publicity letting the public know CHORD is finished is a contributing factor in the difficulties faced.

Jean Harper, owner of Maggie May’s on West Clyde Street, said she was being forced to close her shop and blamed the knock on effect of works on West Clyde Street during CHORD.

She said: “We have definitely been affected. I think the weather has had an effect, but also the CHORD roadworks.

“Helensburgh has been really quiet – I’m closing at the end of this month so it’s too late for me.” Ms Harper said she didn’t know how much she had lost in revenue, but that she had noticed Helensburgh was quieter than previous years.

She said: “I’m looking out of my shop window and there’s about eight people on Helensburgh sea front and this is a good day.” Karl Giarchi, owner of Dino’s on West Clyde Street, said he had noticed a drop in trade of around 40 per cent since the CHORD works finished.

He told the Advertiser: “The town is finished, the town is dead, there’s no footfall here.” Mr Giarchi said he previously lost trade during sewage works on Helensburgh seafront in 2005 – and he added he is worried forthcoming planned works for the pier would also lead to a further drop.

A spokesman from Lido’s Cafe on West Clyde Street said he had noticed an annual fall in trade of about 40 per cent.

He said: “There’s no money about. There’s also too many takeaways on West Clyde Street and charity shops and not enough other shops.” Another West Clyde Street retailer, who did not wish to be named, said his premises had been much quieter than recent years. However he blamed the changes in parking restrictions.

Despite the issues on the seafront, some businesses on Sinclair Street take a more optimistic view. Laura Kate McWalters, owner of Laura Kate, said business was ‘healthy’, whilst Melanie Andrews, owner of the Craigard Tea Room, said trade in her shop had experience a ‘bigger uptake’.

Ms Andrews added the independence referendum may have had impact on visitors from England. She said the number of visitors she had from down south has ‘halved this year’.

Other businesses like Helensburgh Flowers – based on West Princes Street – said they had failed to notice any major fluctuation in trade.

Helenbsurgh central councillor Vivien Dance, a former policy lead for tourism, said: “I maintain the lack of information is a major issue. We should be promoting the town and saying its open for business.” She added: “We have not been helped by the poor summer of bad weather, but the fall in trade has been very disappointing for everybody.” Councillor James Robb said the town is ‘very, very quiet’ but he put that down to a change in people’s shopping habits, with a move away from the town centre.

Gary Mulvaney, chairman of Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, said retailers were working with Argyll and Bute Council to bring people to the town.

A spokeswoman from the chamber of commerce supported Cllr Dance’s views.

She said: “A lot of people have said the real problem is that Helensburgh is not being marketed properly. The main concern of the chamber of commerce is you go to any tourist information office and you will not find anything promoting Helensburgh.” The chamber of commerce said it approached Argyll and Bute Council for funding for promoting Helensburgh at a meeting last year but was turned down.

A spokesman from Argyll and Bute Council said despite the challenging financial climate the council was continuing to invest in Helensburgh.

He said: “In terms of funding for marketing and promoting the area, we are providing £150,000 to the Argyll and the Isles Tourism Co-operative over the next three years to help attract visitors to the area.”