Re-opening of convenience store in Castletown welcomed by the community council
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THE re-opening of the convenience store in Castletown after a temporary closure for a refit has been welcomed by local community councillors.
They are pleased the shop, which is now run by the SPAR group, is open to the public again after being shutting for five weeks to allow equipment to be removed and replaced.
"It is looking really good," said John Calder although he thought some items were expensive. "It has been really busy in the mornings."
Secretary, Liz Geddes, said: "It is open again and that is good." However, she pointed out that there has been some complaints about fewer newspapers being available compared to when the shop was run as a Morrison's Daily. The post office, which is located within the premises, has been moved nearer the door and is not open as long as it was before, it was stated.
But in general, the community council is pleased with the new-look store and happy it has re-opened.
Chairman, Billy Dunbar, said: "It is a convenience store and is something that is needed in the village."
Last year, Morrisons took over more than 1100 McColls stores and 16,000 staff throughout the UK, including the shops in Main Street, Castletown; Sinclair Street, Halkirk; Provost Sinclair Road, Thurso; and Mount Pleasant, also Thurso.
At the time, the company described the deal as "a good outcome" and said it offered "stability and continuity for the business."
In early May, the Castletown shop was shut after the company said its lease of the premises came to an end. It was then taken over by the SPAR group which is a Dutch multinational retail chain that provides branding, supplies and support services for independently owned and operated food retail stores.
Earlier, members heard that the former butcher's shop in Traill Street is being operated as a laundrette for bed and breakfast businesses and hotels.
