Perthshire toy store issues "shop local" plea after worst week of sales in 10 years

A Perthshire family business urged shoppers to “shop local” this week amid what it claimed was its worst week in over a decade.

Toy shop Fun Junction, which has two outlets - one in Perth and the other in Crieff - has had to reduce operating hours as a result.

The retailer is described as a traditional, family-run, toy shop on its Facebook page and has been in business for more than 20 years.

It moved from County Place in Perth to premises in the city’s High Street more than a decade ago.

Owner Karen Christie said this week that Perthshire shoppers had to step up and support local businesses following the tough decision which she says is something impacting a number of local businesses.

She said: “The post on Facebook encapsulates the situation our business - and other businesses - are experiencing.

“We need people to shop locally to support us.”

The post put up on Facebook on Saturday morning by owner Karen Christie stated: “This has been quite a hard post to write so please spend a couple of minutes reading it before scrolling past.

“This week has been by far the worst week sales and footfall wise we have had in Perth since moving from County Place 11 or so years ago.

“The Crieff shop hasn’t been any better.

“We have had to reduce our shop hours as we aren’t seeing an increase in customers to match the increasing wage costs.

“This in itself was a tough decision as half the staff are family and the other half are as good as family, and have families of their own.

“Everyone keeps being told that city centres are struggling, but take it from us, there’s only so long businesses can hold out these days. Having spoken to other businesses in and out with the local area, we know that we are not the only shop feeling this.

“We have noticed a massive decline in after school visits and we miss having children playing at the play tables.

“We understand money is tight just now but we urge people to spend what they can with the wonderful independent shops we have around us, or quite simply they won’t be there anymore.

“We don’t like being so negative but we can’t really tiptoe around this anymore.

“Shopping local doesn’t just support the staff because small businesses support local themselves, be it through local charities, groups, and events and we want to be able to continue supporting our community. Please, where you can, use your local shops.”