“Helensburgh is an amazing place” - the official verdict on our town according to a TV comic. Thank you Rab for spotting what we all know about our town and for helping in our constant task of promoting Helensburgh as a super place to live and visit.

Two of our local businesses bore testimony to the “amazing” accolade recently. Heartfelt congratulations to Riva for being crowned Boutique Hotel of the Year and Rosneath Caravan Park for being runner-up in the Best Caravan Site category at the Scottish Hospitality Awards. We are all very proud of your achievements and you are indeed a credit to the town and the local area, as are the majority of our local traders.

I thought that the comment from Riva’s Myke-Louise was apposite when she said: “I think it’s massively important for the area to know that we’re representing Helensburgh as well as ourselves. It’s local people who run these places -they’re the ones living and breathing their businesses and this recognition says a lot about the people who live here.”

A reminder, given the economic and day-to-day challenges faced by all local businesses just now.

Support for all types of commerce in the town will be vital over the months ahead so please do continue to put local at the forefront of your mind when you are spending.

It looks like that before too long, our new leisure centre and the surrounding public realm work on the seafront will be fully operational.

We have been fortunate with the appointment of Heron Bros as main contractor for this multi-million pound investment. We look forward to enjoying their creation and joining other parts of Argyll with a fit for purpose, 21st century leisure centre.

It is a bit disappointing, though, that councillors have decided to close the pier andto shut the old pool before the school holidays are over (not particularly helpful to town businesses directing people to pools in West Dunbartonshire).

But we welcome the modest investment in part of the pier and the fact that it will at least be complementary to the adjoining site very soon.

The Chamber looks forward to continuing our joint working with Helensburgh Community Council on the next phase of the seafront development and taking forward the clear expressed desire of the community for additional leisure opportunities and not retail on the site. No mean task ahead because there is no doubt that the council’s priority is revenue not community preferences.

One thing about our amazing town, life here is never dull.