Foyers Shop Updates

25th September 2025

The Future of Foyers Stores

Boleskine Community Care (BCC) has been working hard over recent months to secure the future of Foyers Stores, the Post Office, the café and the flat above on behalf of the community. To take this forward, a steering group was formed with members from BCC, the Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust (SFCT), and the Community Council. Together, these organisations commissioned Community Enterprise to produce a full feasibility study and business plan. This was accompanied by an independent valuation of the property and business, a conditions survey, and an energy survey. This professional, independent work has given us a clear and realistic picture of what community ownership would involve.

As part of the feasibility study, a community survey was carried out with 88 direct responses, plus the views of a further 96 household members, representing around 184 people in total. The findings were very encouraging. 85% of respondents favour community ownership of the shop and Post Office, 78% are in favour of including the café, and 72% back the use of the flat for local or key worker housing. Two-thirds of people said the loss of the shop would be a disaster for the area. The study also highlighted real opportunities, including serving over 70,000 annual visitors to the Falls of Foyers, expanding the range of produce and services, and creating affordable housing.

The next step in the process is already under way. BCC has submitted an application to the Scottish Land Fund (SLF) for help with purchasing the property. The SLF cannot provide funding for the business, so additional resources are required to complete the full package. To achieve this, we are preparing to apply to the Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust (SFCT) and to launch a community share offer, giving local people the chance to invest directly in the project and play a part in its future.

To make this possible, a Community Benefit Society (CBS) has already been established and registered as Foyers Community Stores Limited. A CBS is a not-for-profit organisation created for community ownership. Local people will be able to buy community shares and become members, with decisions made democratically on a “one member, one vote” basis. Any surplus will be reinvested back into the shop or the wider community, ensuring the store is run for community benefit and safeguarded for the long term.

We would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the survey and share their views. Moving forward, we will be hosting regular community information sessions to keep everyone updated, answer questions, and make sure the project continues to reflect the views of local people. If anyone has any questions or would like to share their views, please contact Olivia on csc@boleskinecc.com.