Reasons for not shopping at street

Next.co.uk, Additions.co.uk, Asda.com, Freemans.com, eBay.co.uk, mandco.com & Tesco.co.uk.

The above are the reasons I rarely shop for clothes at Lerwick town centre, by choice … Why? Because the town centre (with the exception of M&Co) is dated, generally has a lack of selection, is overpriced and parking can be difficult.

As far as competition goes, surely the Toll Clock Shopping Centre must take a lot of trade from the town, as there is a good selection, parking is free and ample and everything you need is under one roof, including a post office and cafe.

For me, it is so much easier to shop online, as I am sure the majority of people with a young family do. I remember being on holiday at my granny’s house, when the Oxendale sale list arrived. I had never seen her rip open an envelope with such enthusiasm … I think of her every time the Next sale list drops through my letter box.

Our Tesco grocery trip is the highlight of our week. The staff are friendly: selection is second-to-none; aisles are bright, airy and clean; parking is free and ample; customer services are top-rate. A “gold star” to the charming young man who offered me his fleece to use as a pillow when my toddler was asleep with her head resting on the cold metal trolley.

Good on Tesco, is all I can say – it’s about time the town centre had a wake up call. Perhaps “Mary Queen of Shops” could take a trip up to Shetland to help spruce up and breath a bit of life into the deflated complacency on Commercial Street.

In my opinion (for what it is worth) a healthy bit of competition won’t do you any harm, and may actually generate more customers for you if word gets out that changes have been made … take up the gauntlet and embrace the challenge.

Janice Pottinger
Bridge-End,
Burra.