Western Isles
Bùth Tholastaidh (Tolsta Community Shop)
North Tolsta, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0NL
Telephone: 01851 890 281
Email: tolsta.shop@googlemail.com
Web site: http://www.buththolastaidh.co.uk
The residents of Tolsta took over their local shop in April 2009 after a long hard effort to put together a funding package of £70,000 for the purchase. The group sourced funding from HIE’s Community Land Unit, LEADER Innse Gall, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Community Regeneration Fund, and their own councillor’s Ward Fund.
The shop, which is a 14 mile drive from Stornoway, is the main hub of the 500-strong community, and its takeover has had huge local support with residents buying £25 shares in the enterprise.
Co-Chomunn Eirisgeidh (Eriskay Community Co-operative)
Eriskay, South Uist, Western Isles, HS8 5JJ
Telephone: 01878 720 236
Email: cochomunn@eirisgeidh1963.freeserve.co.uk
The Eriskay Community Co-op was established in 1979 as a result of the closure of the local shop and post office. It is a retail store and post office with a wide range of food and other items including newspapers, medicines, off-licence, toys, gifts, local produce and crafts.
Co-Chomunn na Hearadh (Harris Community Co-operative)
An Clachan, Leverburgh, Isle of Harris, HS5 3TS
Telephone: 01859 520 370
Email: harris@comcoop.freeserve.co.uk
Set up in 1979, Harris Community Co-op is a large retail store selling a wide range of goods and includes a tearoom, tourist information, craft shop and fuel.
Ravenspoint Community Shop
Ravenspoint Centre, Kershader, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9QB
Telephone: 01851 880 236
Email: info@ravenspoint.net
Web site: http://www.ravenspoint.net
Owned by Co-Chomunn na Pairc, one of the original community co-operatives established in the 1970s, the community shop was upgraded in 2009 and offers a wide range of goods. The shop is part of the Ravenspoint Centre which includes a tea-room, hostel and visitor attractions and a local history museum.
Uig Community Shop
Timsgarry, Uig, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9JD
Telephone: 01851 672 777/444
Email: uigcommunityshop@gmail.com
Set up in 2004 to take over the only shop, Post Office and fuel station for 33 miles, Uig Community Co-operative has since diversified its shop to include out of hours payment terminal for fuel, a laundrette, a council and other services access point with video conference facilities, a seating area with microwave, coffee facilities and displays of local arts and crafts, new delivery and storage space and cold room, public toilet and staff office.
Case Study by the Co-operative Group (97kB PDF)