New owner takes over Conochie’s shop

One of the oldest established businesses in Commercial Street has a new owner this week.

Newsagents Conochie’s was taken over on Wednesday by Usman Mohammed from West Lothian, who spotted the business opportunity last November and has now become the boss on the retirement of previous owner Tom Worthington, who, he said, had done a “fantastic job”.

Mr Mohammed, who previously worked in the family’s shop in Livingston, will continue Concochie’s business along its existing lines but with a few small changes: “it all contributes to a good shopping experience.”

Thus he will be a highly visible presence within the shop, where he will welcome the many loyal, and, he said, hugely valued customers. He will make sure there is someone at the tills at all times and have staff on the shop floor offering help and advice to shoppers.

He plans to update the stationery section, making it “more contemporary”, and is going to set up a Twitter account so that people registered with the shop can be sent a message telling them when the day’s newspapers are available, often saving customer time.

There will also be a customer website so that distant customers can shop for all the products online and have home delivery by mail.

Mr Mohammed is excited about the new venture of running one of the busiest shops in the street, which has something for everyone, whether locals or cruise ship passengers. He said:

“When people walk out of Concochie’s they feel happy, whether they have bought chocolate, a sandwich, a gift or ice cream. We offer a vast amount of products to satisfy everyone, not just a specific age or gender, we’re here for everyone.”

He paid tribute to his predecessor, who worked in the business with his wife Elaine for more than two decades. He said: “Tom deserves massive credit for the work he has put in to make it the fantastic shop it is, which offer a great service to Shetland.” He praised the way the shop had developed under Mr Worthington, including the introduction of the Thornton’s chocolate franchise, which added a new dimension to shopping in the street.

The staff too deserve credit, he said, and especially mentioned Maureen Constable, praising her loyal service to the business over 34 years. And this is how he aims to continue, “making sure the public are getting the best service”.