The axe has officially fallen on Gartmore’s community-run shop after shareholders confirmed a decision to close after 24 years.
The future of the shop had looked bleak when a meeting was called on July 14 describing the shop as “no longer viable”, owing to pressures from online shopping and running costs.
A decision by Loch Lomond and the National Park planners to reject plans for a small ‘eco house’ in the garden of the shop - designed as a means of securing the shop’s future - has also been blamed as a key factor in the closure.
Villagers took part in a public meeting last night (Thursday) where the news was officially shared, with representatives from the shop in attendance to provide more information about the reasons for its demise.
The meeting was also set to discuss alternative arrangements for key services organised by the shop, including the collection of prescriptions.
Chair of the shop committee, Peter Sunderland, said customers had been in tears at the counter following the news of the shop’s troubled future - with some labelling it as the “heart of the village”.
Mr Sunderland reiterated his criticism of National Park planners for not visiting the site to assess the ‘eco house’ application and confirmed the shop’s six staff would be made redundant as a result of the closure.
He added: “It was an emotion- packed meeting, but very reluctantly and very sadly the community shareholders agreed the shop would have to close.
“It’s disappointing that officialdom and the community cannot work together and unless they do unique solutions like the shop cannot happen.
“I think the failure of the National Park to listen to the community was surprising and disappointing.”
Mr Sunderland also confirmed that local craft workers who have relied on the Post Office to post goods would have to make further arrangements.
Forth and Endrick councillor Gerry McGarvey - who lives in the village - said: “It’s with an air of resignation to the harsh reality of the desperate financial straits the shop faces, that the community’s shareholders reluctantly voted to the shop closing.
“However, this has forced us to begin to explore what other realistic options might be available to rehouse or reestablish some alternative provision for essential household items for those unable to shop elsewhere, and to also provide that extra service of a watchful eye on our older or frailer members.
“So, there might well be an opportunity for a phoenix to rise from the ashes of of our valued community asset closing after a quarter of a century.
“Gartmore folk have a great sense of community and tradition of ‘getting things done’ for the benefit of those in the village, so I am confident that some good will come of this sad situation.”
It is believed the community shop - which offered a range of services to locals - was the longest surviving community shop of its type on the UK mainland.
In response, a National Park spokesperson told the Observer the ‘eco house’ plans were rejected due to the “unsuitability of the site within a conservation area” and also due to “insufficient evidence” of community benefits.
They added: “Representations in both support and in objection were received.
“The applicant then appealed that decision. The application then went to the Park Authority’s Local Review Body which after consideration agreed with the delegated decision.”
