4 hours ago
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Morag Doherty says the men in the village will have to get their newspapers elsewhere now.
On Friday, the 66-year-old will close the doors of The Ferry Stores in Kilchoan, on the remote Ardnamurchan peninsula in Highland, for the final time.
Doherty has worked in the most westerly shop on the British mainland since she was a child, running it with her husband, David, 67, for the past seven years.
But changing shopping habits, the slow erosion of footfall and the advent of home delivery have taken their toll. “The final straw was when Morrisons started home deliveries. That killed us.”
As the only shop for 20 miles around, The Ferry Stores provided an essential community hub for the 200 inhabitants of the windswept coastal village for more than half a century. It was open all year round, providing post office services and selling a wide range of grocery goods as well as petrol.
Keeping the shop well-stocked was a challenge in itself, demanding an eight-hour round trip – including at least one ferry crossing and a drive on a twisting single track road – to ensure that customers’ needs were met.
“I worked in it as a child, my sons did too, so it is very emotional to close it – it is a shame and very sad,” said Doherty. “It is the end of an era. But it is not just us. Other rural shops are facing the same problems. You can’t compete with home delivery and online.”
Brendan O’Hara, the SNP MP for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, said the loss of shops like this one “strikes at the very heart of rural community life because without access to a shop, fuel and postal services, communities cannot remain sustainable and such a loss will inevitably further accelerate the depopulation crisis threatening our remote areas.”
The nearest filling station is now in Strontian, 29 miles away, while the next post office is 22 miles away in Acharacle.
In a heartfelt statement to customers, the couple said they had struggled with the decision to close. “Over the past several years we have seen a steady decline in footfall as shopping habits have changed, particularly with the rise of online and home delivery services. While we have done our best to adapt and keep the shop running for the benefit of our community, it has become increasingly difficult to sustain the business”.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful staff, past and present, who have worked tirelessly to keep the shop running smoothly. We are deeply grateful to our loyal customers who have continued to support us over the years. Your friendship, encouragement and custom have meant the world to us and have kept the shop going far longer than might otherwise have been possible.”
“After much thought, we have decided that now is the right time to bring this chapter to a close and step into retirement. We take comfort in knowing that we’ve served this village for seven years and have been part of its life and history.”
