LHD to take over Leasks

The LHD outdoor clothing shop in Lerwick will soon be moving to new premises.

The business is preparing to bring a new lease of life to the old John Leask & Son travel agents, which closed two years ago.

Plans are under way to move LHD’s stock across the road within the next couple of months following a lease agreement between the two organisations.

The move marks a significant change for LHD’s retail outlet, which has operated out of the Lerwick Port Authority-owned Albert Building for the last 24 years.

LHD managing director Ritchie Simpson said various new locations had been considered, but the Esplanade premises stood out as the best.

“We’ve looked at various premises, and it’s the size that suits us. It’s the handiest place available,” Mr Simpson said. “It’ll take a bit of time to get everything moved. It’ll be in the next month or two, I’d imagine.”

The agreement means the remaining members of Leask’s staff will relocate to the company’s depot at Gremista. Two workers have been based in the shop up until now, even though the travel agent side of the business closed in early 2012.

The decision to close was forced by the onslaught of internet bookings. The travel agency side evolved as a result of direct air travel to Shetland in 1936, when Leask became the agent for Allied Airways when it started flying to the isles.