News / Tagon for sale
A POPULAR Shetland country shop has been put up for sale after its owners reluctantly decided to move back to England for family reasons.
Scott and Phoebe Preston hit the headlines in March 2012 when they slashed their petrol and diesel prices to UK mainland levels for a day, shortly after taking over Tagon Stores, in the village of Voe.
Three years later they said they felt “sad and gutted” to leave behind a thriving business that was named one of last year’s Top 100 convenience stores in the UK.
Scott Preston said: “We are moving to be closer to family on both sides. We are sad that we will be leaving, but we are also conscious that this will not be happening overnight.
“We want Tagon Stores to remain a community resource – it is very important that the local shop stays the local shop.
“Tagon Stores is in a great position, it is doing a roaring trade, and all 13 staff are staying on.”
Preston added that it would remain business as usual until somebody keen to take over the business came forward.
The asking price for the shop, whose annual turnover is three quarters of a million pounds, is £130,000.
Advertised on the www.daltonsbusiness.com website, Tagon Stores is described as a “crucial supply for many of the local people and uses over 60 suppliers to ensure a wide selection of groceries, alcohol, household & stationery products and much more.
“As many of the shops on the island the premises also sells petrol and diesel but is not under contract and has the option to buy from either supplier on the islands. The fuel turnover is approximately £200,000 per annum.”
Preston said: “Selling it was a really hard decision. Everything that we are doing now is geared towards keeping the shop in the community and staff in their jobs.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
