News / Couple give Sound Service Station new look
CUSTOMERS have been flocking into the revamped Sound Service Station – complete with new forecourt and added local produce – after it reopened its doors on Monday morning.
The convenience store and garage, which was taken over by local couple Jordan and Gemma Thomason in March, had been shut for the past fortnight while receiving a fairly comprehensive makeover.
Jordan said they had been blown away by just how busy it had been on Monday morning – with many of the fresh bakery products from Waas and Sandwick selling out by lunchtime.
“The response this morning has been a wee bit overwhelming,” he said.
Stocking more local produce is a strong focus, with Da Kitchen Bakery in Yell coming on board, most of the meat fridge given over to Anderson’s Butchers, a new section for Shetland Fudge confectionery and expanded shelf space for Scoop Wholefoods.
The couple had initially planned just to refurbish the petrol pump area this autumn, before tackling the shop interior in 2017, but have ended up doing the work several months ahead of schedule.
“Once one tile came out of the floor then we were committed,” Jordan said, and though things have been “a bit manic” and ended up taking a few days longer than anticipated, “it’s been worth the wait”.
The owners are relieved to be open again: the shop has always had a “good, loyal customer base” and they were mindful that being closed was affecting particularly elderly customers in the Sound area , who may have had to walk further for their errands.
“It’s nice to see them all back this morning,” he said, as one customer wandered past and greeted the couple, telling them “It looks great! There’s so much room we could have a dance!”
Gemma said the shop was running various promotions, including a free soft drink or water for anyone spending £10 or more on fuel. For one week only, those who spend £20 or more will also be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a free tank of fuel.
Further changes are imminent, too. They are keen to add a fish counter, and believe there is demand for 24-hour petrol pumps using a card machine, while thought is also being given to seeking a licence to sell alcohol.
Making fuel available round-the-clock is something Jordan regrets “not doing straight away” and he feels it would benefit people starting work early, taxi drivers and shift workers.
With hundreds of residents living nearby, Gemma said they had looked into selling electricity cards through PayPoint and plans to investigate the idea further. “We just want it to be convenient for folk,” she said.
The couple, who have a young family, also own Alex Morrison’s on the other side of Lerwick. Between the two shops their company, J&G Shetland, has more than 30 staff on its books, a mixture of full-time and part-time.
Jordan said that “if today is anything to go by”, the shop’s overhaul could result in a need to take on additional workers.
The Sound area will next year get a new chemist at Kantersted Road, and soon the new Anderson High School at lower Staney Hill will only be a short walk away as Lerwick’s centre of gravity continues to shift away from the old town centre.
- Sound Service Station is open from 8am-9pm on weekdays, and from 8.30am-9pm on Saturdays and 10am-9pm on Sundays.
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