Final page turned for Inverness's Christian bookshop

A CHRISTIAN bookshop in Inverness which has served the Highlands for nearly four decades will soon be closing.

The CLC (Christian Literature Crusade) book-shop in Castle Street provides literature from a Christian viewpoint to local churches and has been a resource centre for the wider community.

CLC is a charity which started in Colchester in 1941 and has been operating in Inverness for about 40 years.

Prior to its move to Castle Street about eight years ago the shop was located in Church Street.

Shop manager Pam Kerr said the closure decision follows a dropping off in customer footfall.

“It’s sad because as well as being a valuable resource centre for the Christian community it was a very popular place for people to come in for a coffee and to enjoy some fellowship,” she said, adding that its resources will continue to be sold online.

Miss Kerr, who is a member of the Inverness Christian Fellowship which meets at Merkinch Community Centre every Sunday, said that although the shop was closing an exact date would depend on how soon someone is found to take over the lease.

“CLC has been in Inverness for nearly 40 years and I have been the manager of the shop since it moved to Castle Street,” she said.

“As well as providing resources for local churches and the Christian community we supply to places like Wick, Thurso, Ullapool and Skye.

“Before the shop opened here in Inverness CLC had a van which travelled from Aberdeen supplying local churches and the Christian community and attended local fairs and shows where it ran stalls.”

The specialist chain provides books and resources, including films, music and seasonal gifts.

The closure is just the latest in Castle Street where Tomlinsons Beer Shop closed in August last year after six years in business.

It was closely followed by the closure of the CoolNess ice cream parlour on the site of the former Nessie’s Arcade.

Agents for the owners reported the business had been “barely breaking even”.

Mike Smith, manager of Inverness Business Improvement District previously said the closure was “unfortunate” but hoped a new tenant would be found soon for a business that was “well fitted out”.

This week signs outside the parlour suggested the site is currently under offer.

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