REACTION: Closure of Clarks shoe shop will be 'huge loss' to Inverness city centre
The closure of a long-established Inverness city centre store has sparked reaction and fond memories from across the world.
Clarks shoe shop, located in High Street, will close at the end of this month.
- Another blow to Inverness city centre as shop set to close
- American diner to close its doors
- Business announces closure 4 months after opening
It comes as the American restaurant and bar, the Filling Station in Academy Street, will also close its doors on October 21.
The closure of Clarks shoe shop marks the end of the national retail chain's presence in the north of Scotland with branches in the Inverness Shopping Park, Elgin and Fort William having closed in recent years.
People took to social media to voice their disappointment with comments coming from far afield.
They included Frances MacRae Whitehead, of New Zealand, who said: "My daughter was hoping to get shoes for my grandchild from the same shop as grandma got hers as a child."
Ann Jones described it as "a huge loss", adding: "There will be no shops left in the town centre."
Lyndsay Broadley voiced concerns about fewer places offering a shoe fitting services, commenting: "A child having properly fitted shoes is a must. They have to be size checked regularly and have somewhere to try on shoes."
The impact of the shop's closure will also be felt further afield across the Highlands.
Jayne Scollay posted: "This is a huge blow. We don't have a shoe shop in Wick and we travel with our autistic son to this very shop where he gets fitted for shoes and walks out with them on his feet.
"We couldn't get shoes on his feet but with this as our routine, we've been making big steps. Very sad."
Carol MacDonald added: "I live north of Inverness and it’s the only shoe shop that’s within 100 miles of my home where I can get my kids feet professionally measured and now this!"
Sean O'Neil McCauley, of Arizona, joined in the debate. "I used to buy Clarks, until they moved their manufacturing to China. The shop where I bought them dropped Clarks entire line over quality issues," he said.
Others speculated over the reasons behind the closure, citing online shopping, the cost of rent and rates and the squeeze on people's finances.
Kim Corbett said the closure was "a real shame" and added: "It should be noted that being located on a pedestrianised street hasn’t saved it."
