Storm Eowyn: Falkirk district noon update as shops and restaurants stay closed

The Met Office red alert for strong winds will be in force across much of the Central Belt and southern Scotland, including the Falkirk area, between 10am and 5pm.

Residents are already reporting fences blown down, while the roof of the canopy at the Tesco garage in Falkirk’s Central Retail Park has been damaged.

Areas where cuts have been reported include Arnott Street and around Comely Park Primary in Falkirk, parts of Windsor Road in Bantaskine, parts of Hallglen and roads in Stenhousemuir.

Thankfully, for many, these are lasting for around 60-90 minutes before ScottishPower manage to restore service.

A number of shops and business have closed for the day with others planning to open at 6pm when the worst of the storm is anticipated to be over.

Many supermarkets have also said they will close for the duration of the storm and people are urged to check local stores for details.

There were reports of panic buying last night with many stores across the district having their shelves cleared of staples such as bread and milk.

Tesco customers received messages and emails informing them stores were to close and home deliveries and click and collect services were also cancelled.

Asda Falkirk has also announced it will be closing from 9am today, while Aldi is closing all its stores in the red weather warning area from 9am to 6pm.

Lidl has said it will close its stores in the area affected by the storm from 10am to 5pm.

Several independent shops in Falkirk town centre, including Catwalk, Scarlet Ribbons and Sisters, have announced they will remain closed today.

The Howgate shopping centre has said many of its shops and cafes will be closed. The planned craft market is also cancelled.

Behind the Wall in Melville Street will remain closed until 6pm – but said the whisky tasting event 7.30pm will go ahead as planned.

The Sanam restaurant in Callendar Road will not open for lunch but plans to reopen at 4pm.

Benny T’s restaurant and takeaway said it would not open at noon as usual today but hoped to reopen in the evening.

Falkirk Burns Club’s annual celebration that was due to take place at the Grange Manor Hotel in Grangemouth tonight has also been postponed.

Police said no motorists should travel during the alert period.

Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan said: “Our advice to any road user is not travelling, and that’s really the message we want to get across today.

“It’s really unusual for us to have a red weather warning and that advice is in place for the duration of that warning.”

Train operator ScotRail said all services were being suspended due to safety concerns.

Bus operator Midland Bluebird said “for the safety of our staff and customers”, services will not operate today between 9am-6pm. They said passengers would be updated on later services.

Watch on Shots! TV: Lightning strikes near football stadium | UK Extreme Weather Caught on Camera

Falkirk Council has announced that all schools and nurseries will be closed.

Leisure centres, libraries and visitor attractions, including Callendar House, will be closed.

Residents are also being reminded not to put their bins out for collections as refuse services are suspended for the day. Recycling centres at Roughmute and Kinneil are also closed.

Funerals will not take place with burials and cremations postponed.

Only emergency housing and roads repairs will continue to be carried out where necessary.

Some services can still be accessed online via www.falkirk.gov.uk.

People are asked not to call the council’s contact centre today unless it critical.

NHS Forth Valley has said all outpatient clinics and scans at local hospitals have been postponed today. Patients due to undergo surgery are being asked to attend earlier to avoid travel during the red alert.