Kirkcudbrightshire has suffered another retail blow with news that Twynholm Stores is to close.
A sign in the window reads: “Twynholm shop and P.O. will cease trading on Sat. 30th March 2019.”
The business owner Kate Smith declined to comment on the closure.
But Twynholm Community Council chairperson Jean Adams described it as “a huge loss”.
Mrs Adams, who owned the shop for six years before Mrs Smith took over, said: “It’s the heart of the village.
“We will lose a focal point of village life.”
Mrs Adams felt changes in shopping habits and population trends were a major factor.
She said: “Modern society does not gear itself to supporting a wee village shop now.
“Most people get up, go to work and call into Tesco on the way home – and you can’t blame them for that.
“The closure will make it more difficult for people to communicate with each other.
“We used to have all the forms to signs up for old people’s outings and Christmas parties.
“We lived in the flat above the shop and you could hear the laughter from the customers.”
During her time in charge Mrs Adams said even then making ends meet was not easy.
“You need income from elsewhere – that’s what we had to do,” she said. “We also opened a tearoom which helped keep the shop going.
“There used to be a lot of elderly people who would get a big order every week but they have all passed away.
“Some would use the shop as their pantry and come in for a carrot and an onion for soup. But there are no people around like that any more.”
She added: “You are on a losing wicket with a village shop. We knew it was not feasible.
“It’s a thankless task and very hard work. This is going to be a big blow.”
The shop has been up for sale since last year. Its closure could be discussed at the next community council meeting, Mrs Adams said.
A Post Office spokesperson said: “Following the resignation of the postmaster and withdrawal of premises for post office use, Twynholm Post Office will close temporarily on 30 March.
“Unfortunately, from time to time, Post Office branches do temporarily close for reasons beyond our control.
“The majority of our branches are run by independent retailers, meaning we are not the owners of the premises and regrettably, we are often unable to immediately reopen the branch ourselves.
