20 May 06 - Shop Closes, Moves to Web

The Gourmet's Lair Delicatessen, formerly of 8 Union Street, Inverness, has closed its doors for the last time on Saturday 20th May 2006. Established at these premises for almost 10 years, the Lair has continued to grow its reputation for fine cheeses and Deli produce.

Faced with ever-rising overheads and a very significant drop on local trade over the last two years within Inverness Old Town, the Lair was rapidly approaching the point of becoming unviable.

Rather than simply moving the shop to a lower-cost location, we have re-examined the business model, and attempted to assess what the Highlands and Islands of Scotland really need from a Delicatessen. Since a large proportion of our customers cannot regularly come to visit the shop, we have decided to try to bring the shop to them both via the telephone and the web. Whilst opening up further retail units in the future has not been ruled out, we have taken the decision in the short-term to focus on trying to develop a more appropriate shopping model to the Highlands and Islands.

Existing customers and those holding gift vouchers can contact us via the information on our contacts page. We'll continuing with sending out our gift baskets and food parcels full of goodies and wonderful cheeses. We're also going to be expanding our delivery options, including back to some of the old ways our very separated community used to get supplies. Watch out for the little white van!

Callum & Maureen.