On 26th April the residents of Jura gathered to celebrate the opening of the newly refurbished Jura Community Shop. Carol Wright, whose Grandfather John McKechnie started the first Jura Stores, cut the ribbon of the Community shop and gave a fascinating account of the shop’s history. Carol said, “… it is hoped that the enterprise which my Grandfather began over 130 years ago will continue to grow and flourish and serve the island for many years to come.”
Over the last six months McEachern Brothers and CP Architects of Oban have worked together with the Isle of Jura Development Trust to repair and extend the community shop, funded by The Big Lottery Fund. While the refurbishment took place the shop continued to trade from the Antlers Bistro, but now everything is back in it’s rightful place with both the shop and Antlers open and ready for the summer.
The shop came into community ownership in March 2013 when the Isle of Jura Development Trust used funding from The Big Lottery Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise for the purchase. Since the beginning of the project in 2012, over two thousand volunteer-hours have gone into making the Community Shop a reality. Everyone from residents to first time visitors have been involved with the project, and support at home and from afar has been overwhelming. We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who has played a part in making the ‘new’ community shop a reality; all the staff at MacEachern Bros and other contractors from Islay who worked hard over the winter and have done a top job. The shop looks great!
Story published with kind permission of the Ileach newspaper
