Demolition looming for general store that is island landmark
Thanks to its colourful appearance, Tarbert Stores have become an icon of the Outer Hebrides. But the building’s days look numbered,
WITH its red and yellow corrugated frontage, Tarbert Stores on the Isle of Harris is a Hebridean landmark and a symbol of commercial ties with Scandinavia that go back generations.
Dating from around 1900, the building on Pier Road supplied fishermen and other tradespeople in one of Scotland’s most remote communities.
But now the much-photographed structure, which is listed, faces the demolition ball after a planning application was made to pull it down.
Applicant Angus Macleod also owns the nearby Hotel Hebrides.
It comes as an accompanying report by consultants says that the necessary structural safety repairs and required upgrading to comply with current regulations cannot be achieved without significant alterations.
That would result in the complete reconstruction of any original fabric at Tarbert Stores, which was a general store until it was recently closed.
“If an upgrade were to be undertaken to comply with current building regulations, an early meeting with building control would be necessary to establish the full extent of works required,” says the report.
“However, these alterations would result in almost complete demolition of the existing building and the character of the building would be changed significantly.
“In conclusion the building in its current form is not suitable for upgrading to meet current building regulations, as radical alterations are required to meet the current building regulations.
“The fabric of the building is in very poor condition. The existing building does not meet current regulations and standards and if the store is to be re-opened substantial work is required to ensure the safety of the occupants.
“If it is uneconomical or not viable to upgrade the building, then the building needs to be stabilised or demolished as the building in its current condition is not adequate for resisting the potential maximum wind loading in Tarbert.”
When it first opened, Tarbert Stores played a vital role, providing for the needs of fishermen and other workers in an area which had almost no road access before the 20th century.
Significantly, it is thought that both the design of the building and the timber used in its construction were of Swedish origin.
At the time, the Scandinavian country was an important export market for fish caught in local waters, making the store an embodiment of the island’s international links.
Stressing that any “meaningful” repair would reduce its significance as a listed asset, a heritage statement produced to assess the building and the impact of proposed changes says: “This simple and practical timber construction is thought to have been funded by a local benefactress, with both the design as well as the timbers deriving from Swedish origins as cargoes of fish were exported to
Sweden and the timber purchased for return ballast.
“It is, therefore, more likely that the benefactress was Lady Emily Scott, or one of her successors, as Sir Edward Scott took over the North Harris Estate from the bankrupt Earl of Dunmore in 1868.
“Tarbert Stores sits adjacent to and is now owned by Hotel Hebrides. Tarbert Stores was purchased by the current owner when Tarbert Stores trading had reduced significantly.
“The current owner had seen the property fall into disrepair and were (sic) concerned about the impact of this
If the store is to be re-opened substantial work is required to ensure the safety of the occupants
on the local streetscape and in the context of their own business.
“The current owner sought a series of remedial repair and consolidation works. It is understood much of the original fabric was beyond repair.”
The statement also acknowledges the iconic status of the store building.
But it stresses that the “cultural significance” of Tarbert is based on a range of factors.
“As this report has identified, the loss of much of the original fabric at Tarbert Stores over its lifetime has resulted in a substantial loss of significance,” it says.
“Tarbert Stores iconic yellow painted colour masks the reality of the building fabric. The image of Tarbert Stores represents a historical connection with the historical fishing community.
“However, this report suggests the cultural significance of Tarbert is connected to its setting and location, not one building.
“This report suggests that the most successful way to maintain the cultural, emotional and social significance of Tarbert is to maintain its role as a main settlement and support the current industry, maintaining community activity and providing a sustainable future.”