Big change at the heart of Boat of Garten

It is the end of an era in Boat of Garten with Village Shop and Post Office operators David and Beth Woolsey moving on from the business.

The couple ran the award-winning business for 23 years - that was until last Wednesday (May 28).

The new friendly face behind the counter is Kim Dixon.

The Woolseys said the past week has been a whirlwind.

Mr Woolsey said: “We decided to sell the shop some three years ago but having watched other small businesses locally take quite a while to sell we were prepared for a wait.

“We have owned the business for 23 years.

“We are now both in our sixties and the demands of a hands-on shop are not getting any easier.

“There have been many challenges over the years, most of which have centred around the Post Office.

“The village have supported us incredibly throughout, which led to us winning "Best Rural Retailer"(Scotland) 2007.”

His wife Beth said: “The level of business is unrecognisable from the quiet shop we bought all those years ago.

“We will miss all the craic with the customers and the fabulous staff who have made our lives much richer, so many memories to cherish.

“Good luck to Kim Dixon the new owner, we know that Boat of Garten will look after her.”

Sabih Huq said that the Woolseys had been wonderful neighbours over the years.

He said: “Everyone in the shop has been amazing… It is the kind of thing that makes living here such a joy.”

And for good measure he added: “Kim is great too. The shop really serves an important social function.”

Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co had been instructed to sell Boat of Garten Convenience Store & Post Office in Autumn 2023.

The business is the only convenience store and Post Office in the village, making it the hub of the local community.

The store generates most of its trade from local residents, as well as the ever-expanding tourist market.

Mr and Mrs Woolsey have always been very much at the heart of the Boat of Garten community during which time they were ultimately honoured by the Scottish Countryside Alliance for having ‘the best village post office’ in the country.

Ms Dixon told the Strathy she was delighted to have taken on the role and would be welcoming everyone to the shop.

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