Community Shop Details
Papay Community Co-operative
Beltane House, Papa Westray, Orkney, KW17 2BU
Telephone: 01857 644 321
Email: beltanepapay@aol.co.uk
In 1978 the island shop was threatened with closure and in response the local people decided to start a community co-operative to take over the business and run the shop. The population of Papay was 73 and through selling £25 shares, the Community Co-op managed to raise funds which were matched by the Highlands & Islands Development Board (now Highlands & Islands Enterprise). This enabled the Co-op to employ a full time manager to run the business which includes a retail store, guest house/hostel, petrol & diesel and seasonal island tours.