JURBY stores has re-opened today (Monday) with new tenants.

Since the previous tenant decided to stop trading earlier this year the Department of Social Care has been actively marketing the premises with the assistance of estate agents Black Grace Cowley.

After a significant number of enquiries for the lease the new tenants have been announced as Gordon and Liz Gubby of Kulmet Ltd who currently run the Ballaugh One Stop Shop.

Their son Simon, who has worked with his parents at the Ballaugh shop for many years, will be running Jurby Stores.

Social Care Minister Chris Robertshaw MHK said: "I appreciate that the people of Jurby have been without their local shop for some months now, but in view of the problems encountered by the previous tenant we wanted to ensure that a viable long term business could be established to serve the people of Jurby, as they deserve.

"I am very hopeful that the new tenants we have found are capable of meeting this need, especially if the shop at Jurby is able to meet the standards they have achieved in their other premises."

Mrs Gubby said: "The re-opening of the shop will mean that our customers won't have to travel too far for their groceries and the post office will continue to run as well."

They plan to run the Jurby store on a similar basis to the Ballaugh shop. There will be locally sourced farm produce including fresh eggs, honey and biscuits as well as a wide range of general groceries. 

The intention is to open the store from 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 4pm on Sundays.