This week's Community Column is written by Vivien Dance, chair of the Helensburgh and Lomond Chamber of Commerce.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Chamber continues to promote Helensburgh businesses at every opportunity as the success of the town for residents and visitors alike depends on a thriving commercial centre.

Evidence, not anecdote, has allowed us to be very upbeat over the last year or so, repeatedly reporting that Helensburgh is a town that is thriving and doing remarkably well given current economic challenges.

Businesses expect and allow for the post-Christmas financial dip, a fact of life nowadays, but this month local businesses are reporting an unexpected threat to their turnover and sustainability, namely the “rain drain” – customers appearing to hibernate because of the dreich weather. Yes, we even have a word for it.

READ MORE: In Pictures: Storm Ciara as seen by the Advertiser's readers

One of our famous predecessors, Charles Macintosh, foresaw this monsoon month and gave us the raincoat. Please do remember our shops are still open and need our support to weather this period (pun intended) – it is tough for many of them just now.

Businesses in the town do appreciate the work of Helensburgh’s volunteers,who undertake projects to improve the town and at our last meeting members recorded their appreciation of the work done by the Community Council, particularly Roger Clarke, on the beds in Colquhoun Square.

They now look as though the town cares – neat, tidy, well pruned and relatively weed free.

LATEST HEADLINES: Woman, 27, charged with drink-driving in Helensburgh street

The horticultural touch in our main railway station provides a cheery welcome, and the long-standing provision of the planted tubs is a credit to the Helensburgh and Gareloch Horticultural Society volunteers.

In March the Chamber will circulate a newsletter with details of the potential for co-working with Love Loch Lomond and the campaign for a rethink on the council’s determination to threaten the future of the town centre with the removal of coaches from Helensburgh seafront parking for the three year construction phase of the leisure centre and beyond.

Our next members’ meeting is March 11 in the Commodore Hotel coffee shop at 7pm. It’s open to anyone and we would value any ideas on the forthcoming battle to save the town’s coach trade. Its loss should concern everyone.

READ MORE: Catch up with all the latest Helensburgh and Lomond news headlines here