New owners for former Murdo Maclean’s shop in Stornoway
12 September 2024
Harris Tweed Hebrides (HTH) has taken over a prime retail site spot in Stornoway
town centre.
The operators of the Shawbost mill have acquired Cromwell Street premises lastly
occupied by Murdo Maclean and Sons some eight years ago.
Activity to enhance the frontage of the shop building was undertaken today (Thursday)
with staff from Stornoway-based Graphite Signs designing and efficiently erecting
bright new signage, improving the appearance of the street.
HTH is the third owner of the building since the department store business ceased
active retail trading in 2017.
Existing planning permission provides for a shop unit on the large ground floor of
the premises and a restaurant on the first floor. There was also scope to develop
five small upper floor flats on the site which extends to Kenneth Street at the rear.
A degree of building work was undertaken internally and the old religious bookshop
which latterly housed a vets’ practice until falling into disuse for many years was
demolished in the last couple of years.
HTH is drawing up its own upgrade plans for the premises.
