Thomas Cook to close
I'm told that Thomas Cook in Stornoway is closing at the end of the month, and that staff were told this last week.
It was inevitable that as we all use the internet more and more that the need for a local service would decrease, but it is still sad that we are losing another shop from the high street. With the charity shops proliferating and the number of empty premises growing - just what is happening with the old HebCelt offices, since the Council acquired them? - the town is looking emptier and emptier.
I don't have the solutions, but I know that busy shops will do more for the community than a new civic square.
It was inevitable that as we all use the internet more and more that the need for a local service would decrease, but it is still sad that we are losing another shop from the high street. With the charity shops proliferating and the number of empty premises growing - just what is happening with the old HebCelt offices, since the Council acquired them? - the town is looking emptier and emptier.
I don't have the solutions, but I know that busy shops will do more for the community than a new civic square.
14 comments:
Sad but I am only amazed that it has lasted so long. I travel a lot and have only been in there once in 20 years!!
we need to decide whether we are going to be a tourist town or not. i'm in!
@12.08 I'd be happy to see Sy as a tourist town too - though I don't think we'll ever have the heart for it really - but what does that have to do with Thomas Cook? Can't see they have much/anything to do with inbound tourists.
Also - 5 brand new shop units soon to be available all in the centre of town..... will they be filled?
Don't just book it... oh well.
Stornoway Town Council has allowed two major supermarkets in a fairly small town. The Coop has recently opened its own travel agency in their store. The only way the town centre will be revitalised is by offering reasonably priced small shops to new starts, and making life easier for pedestrians. Somebody driving a car cannot buy without first stopping and parking and becoming a pedestrian. A pedestrian is the only one who can walk into a shop and make a purchase. Stornoway has the possibility to become a totally pedestrian friendly place (viz Stockholm) by simply closing Perceval Square to through traffic and leaving Matheson Road to traffic not coming into town.
Tourist Town?
Whilst Stornoway Hotels ask visitors to leave on Saturday so they can close on Sunday you have No Chance.
It's interesting that many on this board have opinions about local matters but none are able to say anything about the more important national matters that affect all our lives.
3.18 In many places local matters do not necessarily impact on your life, you can take it or leave it. Here local matters are very important and can have a massive impact on your life and well being and so people tend to have a healthy interest.
The "more important national matters" we may talk of but to what end other than deluding ourselves that we have a voice. The only voice we have is the ballot box every few years. Other than that we just provide numbers so that the "consultation" box can be ticked and policy makers stride on regardless.
Feel free to worry about the banking crisis, cuts or whatever you like but we are concerned about keeping people and jobs on the island, wages coming, schools and hospitals open and occasionally having a laugh.
However, what is it you would like us to discuss, I'm sure we can oblige?
8:55 I would just like a few opinions about the other posts that have been put up in the last few days. Maybe I'm just gunning for a row... or maybe the Comhairle staff being banned from this site has made it less fun!
Local Matters-
Yes, we focus on local matters. It's called a community, something you city dwellers understand.
10.38 - sweeping assumptions?
How can Comhairle staff be banned from this board...I'm sure most of them have computers at home.
Is it true that the Comhairle is to close the pedestrian right of way along Springfield Road to protect the wee angels of the Nicolson from the evil public?
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