Community / ‘Not in best interests’ of charity behind Hillswick Shop to continue funding long-term
THE OWNER of Hillswick Shop says they cannot “keep ploughing money” into the loss-making business.
Northmavine Community Development Company (NCDC) has signalled its intention to stop funding the shop at the end of next month, with a public meeting next week set to discuss its fate.
The news was met with disappointment on social media on Monday, with some people questioning why the NCDC was considering pulling its funding for the shop.
Speaking to Shetland News, chairman Bob McGeady said NCDC was a registered charity – and that it was “not in the best interests” of the company to continue propping up the business.
“This is just another example of volunteer trustees having to make difficult decisions,” McGeady said, in reference to Shetland Recreational Trust’s plans to close Scalloway Pool.
“I suspect we won’t be the last. That’s another example where a charity has to act in the best interests of the charity.
“We can’t continue to keep ploughing money into it because it’s not in the best interests of the charity.”
He admitted that it was an “incredibly difficult decision” to potentially signal the end of a long-established community shop, which was bought by NCDC in 2009.
“You’re aware of all the effort that went into establishing the shop in the first place,” McGeady said.
“People have worked incredibly hard over the years to make the shop what it was.
“It’s not a decision that we made lightly at all, but the shop has to be sustainable in the long-term.”
While NCDC has said it will continue funding until the end of the financial year on 31 March 2026, McGeady said there could be a new arrangement after next week’s public meeting.
Options for the shop’s future will be considered at the meeting on Wednesday 25 February at Hillswick Hall, starting at 7.30pm.
McGeady said that if a community group or individual came forward with a plan to run the shop, NCDC would consider what it could do to help.
“If a community group wanted to do it, that would take a little bit of time to get it organised,” he said.
“It depends on the circumstances. We own the building, so we could lease that out to them.
“We’re not ruling anything in or out. It’s not like there’s a definite cut off [for funding] at this stage.”
Referring to comments made online about the need to use local shops or risk losing them, McGeady agreed.
“Folk like their local shop when the boat doesn’t come in, or there’s a global pandemic,” he said.
“The local shops were absolutely brilliant during that.
“It’s been NCDC that’s been supporting the shop for a few years now though, and keeping it going.”
Everyone in the area is encouraged to attend the meeting in Hillswick Hall next Wednesday. For those unable to attend, views and comments can be emailedto ncdcoffice@northmavine.com
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