Angry bosses have said they will quit the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) because they weren’t consulted before the organisation gave its public backing to Sir Ian Wood’s city square scheme in Aberdeen.
Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce also came in for criticism yesterday for its decision to issue a joint statement with the FSB, Oil and Gas UK and the CBI in support of the £140million plan.
Both organisations insisted they were acting in the best interests of members when they said the project, being driven by Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (Acsef), would be the “catalyst” for regenerating the region.
Brenda Craig, of Aberdeen Control Ltd, said she would be seeking a refund of the electrical engineering firm’s subscription to the FSB if it did not retract the statement and seek accurate feedback from members.
“The chamber has at least put something in writing to us, but we have had no correspondence from the FSB on the subject at all,” she said.
“It’s such an emotive subject they should have balloted people before putting out a statement for or against.”
Mrs Craig, company secretary of the business based in Union Glen, Aberdeen, added: “I am opposed to Sir Ian’s scheme because it will mean the destruction of Union Terrace Gardens and to my knowledge there are a lot of other members who feel the same way.”
Kenneth Flavill, who owns the Artists Pad in the city’s Castlegate, said he would not be renewing his membership of the federation.
“I wasn’t consulted before the statement was issued,” he said.
“For Andy Willox to state that ‘we are backing this project’ without contacting all members to gather opinions is slightly out of order.”
Last night, Mr Willox, policy convener for the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland, admitted members had not been polled but insisted he spoke for the majority of firms in Aberdeen.
He said it would be regrettable if people quit the FSB over the issue, but he maintained it had been the right thing to do.
“I have been speaking a lot about this issue to people in the federation and as a member of the Acsef board and at times we have to take a stand on behalf of our business members in general.”
Chamber chief executive Bob Collier also defended the position of his organisation.
He said it had posted information to all its members on Tuesday, setting out the reasons why its policy council was supporting the city square scheme.
Mr Collier said he had taken “a handful” of calls from members who were concerned about the chamber’s stance and would be more than happy to discuss the matter with anyone who had concerns.