Burnside residents were left widely dissatisfied after a community council meeting attended by the operators of the controversial Magic Car Wash last week.
In a packed to the rafters Burnside Community Council meeting at Rutherglen Tennis Club, locals were keen to voice their opinions on the colour scheme of the car wash on Stonelaw Road.
The operators of the car wash, Mr and Ms Khan, attended to defend the red and yellow stripes now painted on the building which has seen it branded a “circus top”.
It is due to open this week and will operate 9am till 7pm Monday to Friday and 10am till 5pm Saturday and Sunday. It is understood the facility is only allowed to hold five cars at any one time. They also must wash the cars over by the wall. The site is leased by Malthurst Retail.
The meeting ended without any firm promises of action from Mr and Ms Khan but did say they would “think about” a solution.
Ms Khan said: “The only reason for those colours there is because it was a shut down site for quite a while and we are trying to attract attention for business proposes.
“It’s not to cause any inconvenience for tenants or residents of the area. We want to work with the community not against them.”
Mr and Ms Khan offered several solutions to the problem, including putting glass screens up and a banner with a price list. None of which were found to be acceptable by the crowd.
However they did add they aimed to put flowers around the car wash and also hold charity events for a nearby nursing home.
A show of hands was taken to see who was in favour of and against the colour scheme. All but one of the audience, aside from the operators, voted for the red and yellow stripes.
Resident Cameron Low said he liked the colours and added: “I find the colours to be quite cheerful.”
One resident of Stonelaw Towers, the block of flats next to the car wash, said: “You don’t need to look at it everyday, we do.”
Another said: “As soon as you open bedroom curtains in the morning it slaps you in the face. I know a lot of people driving down from East Kilbride and they are saying ‘The circus has come to town’ it is a laughing stock.”
Chair of the community council Jim Neil said: “I have checked with the planning department and there is no legal compulsion to have any particular colour scheme.”
Vice chair David McLennan, added: “It is totally out of place and totally unsympathetic to the adjacent residents of Stonelaw Towers and the adjacent houses on Stonelaw Road.”
Councillor Robert Brown sought a solution and said: “What we want is something that is manageable to you and restores your relationship with the community.”
When asked if they were prepared to change the colour they responded: “At some point. As costs are involved in it we thought after a few months we’ll see how we get on and perhaps change it.”
They said they would attend the next meeting in May to give an update on their decision.
