Town centre shop on the market

A TOWN centre shop which has traded in Lerwick for nearly three decades could be set to close its doors.

Smiths of Lerwick’s main shop at 97 Commercial Street went up for lease or for sale on Friday as owners Laurence and Louise Smith look ahead to their retirement.

The shop opened in September 1988 before expanding with the creation of separate lingerie and travel stores.

In recent times the lingerie department moved back into the main shop, with the travel goods filling up the space at 56 Commercial Street.

“It is a wonderful building with much history, which is now looking for some inspired and innovative entrepreneurs to come with ideas to maintain this important landmark in the heart of Lerwick’s outstanding conservation area,” the owners said.

The option is open for potential buyers to continue running the business at 97 Commercial Street, but that would be subject to separate negotiation.

Until further notice, the shop will continue as normal.

A number of established town centre shops have closed their doors in the last year, including Dennis Coutts Photographers, Scottish Hydro Electric and The Spider’s Web.