Shoe shop set to shut in May
THE ONLY dedicated shoe shop in Shetland will shut in May.
The Lerwick branch of retailer Beggs Shoes opened on Commercial Street back in 2013.
However, Beggs director Gaven Begg said the decision to close is primarily driven by a long-term recruitment challenge in Lerwick.
He described it as an “operational puzzle we simply couldn’t solve”.
“We could not run the store without a full local team – logistically supporting the Lerwick branch from our other stores was not viable,” Begg said.
“Despite our best efforts to recruit over several years and our commitment to the industry-leading Real Living Wage, we have been unable to secure sustainable staffing levels.”
Begg added that “our loyal customers in Shetland have been a breath of fresh air” and are “always friendly and supportive”.
“This has genuinely been one of our favourite stores to visit over the years. We are incredibly grateful for their loyalty and want to thank them for welcoming us into the community,” the director said.
“It has been a privilege to carry the torch for such an iconic retail building on Commercial Street, with its rich history of serving the community.”
Begg said the decision to close the Lerwick shop was a “difficult” one for the business but “most importantly, for our colleagues, who have worked so hard in Lerwick”.
He said the company is now focused on supporting its staff through this transition.
Beggs, which is based in Inverness, is described as one of the oldest surviving independent shoe retailers in the UK.
The news comes after the owner of High Level Music, further down the street at the Market Cross, signalled her intention to sell the business.
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