Business / Gulberwick one-stop shop closes its doors after becoming ‘too big too quickly’
A POPULAR one-stop shop in Gulberwick showcasing the work of isles arts and crafts producers has closed for good due to the owner’s ill health.
Robin Jones said The Annex, which opened in January 2023, had become a “victim of its own success” and had become “too big too quickly”.
It comes after the shop had “an absolutely record month” in December, taking in double the amount of money it had done in its previous best month.
But Jones, who suffers from the chronic pain and fatigue causing condition fibromyalgia, said that had taken too much out of her and left her realising it was time to call it a day.
“If anything my health is getting worse,” she said.
“It [The Annex] just really took over my life, it was all I was thinking about.
“Realistically it was probably a bit too successful for me.”
Jones, who created and sold tie-dye designs from Kaleidoscope Designs before starting The Annex, said it had been over a year since she had made anything because of the shop’s demands.
She and her husband Aled are now set to move to Arbroath, and said it was “time to go essentially”.
As well as an influx of local customers, Jones had to contend with a number of online orders, cruise ship passengers arriving in mini-vans and the need to advertise constantly.
“You have post three times a day on social media just to be seen,” she said.
“I was having to spend twice as much time promoting the business so I couldn’t do anything else.
“The relief I felt when I didn’t have to post on social media anymore was so good.
“You just feel like what’s the point. I didn’t want to give it up, but it’s been really hard.”
Both Jones and her husband have complex health needs, and she said they have found it really difficult to get the necessary help in Shetland.
“I started to think, ‘do we want to be here in 10 years feeling worse?’” she added.
“It’s really expensive to live in Shetland, particularly if you’re on disability benefits.”
Despite that she said they will be “really sad to be leaving here”, and to be closing the doors at The Annex for good.
“I’m glad we went out the way we did, we’ve gone out on a real high.
“I just really think it’s been a bit much.”
Whoever buys the Jones’ home in Gulberwick will get The Annex building, which is based in a custom based shed outside the house, along with the sale.
Jones hopes that the next owners might do something with The Annex – or that someone else might follow in her lead in showcasing isles arts and crafts producers.
“It would be good if someone did do it,” she said.
“People have asked me if I would consider selling The Annex, but I said no, that’s my name.
“But the idea, I really hope someone does it.”
She said some of the small Shetland companies that The Annex has showcased and promoted will definitely be sad to see it go.
“Some of them were using my website as their own,” she said.
“I think they’ve been really happy with what they have got out of it, and with all the advertisements.”
Both The Annex and its “shelfies” – the companies Jones showcases – have picked up Scottish Enterprise Awards during its near-two year reign.
The Annex won best tie dye design business and best craft marketplace in 2023, before picking up the most creative handmade gift company award a year later.
And Aurora Wax Melts, which was championed in Gulberwick, won the innovation award for handmade soy wax melts.
But despite the success Jones said she and Aled needed to leave Shetland and to prioritise their own physical and mental health first and foremost.
“It’s easier for us just to move,” she said.
“I genuinely didn’t think it would come to this, we’ve been here for six years in Shetland.
“Now that we have decided to go though I feel lighter, I feel happier, I feel like it was the right decision.”
Jones thanked Business Gateway, Jewson, Bruckland SCRAN, the Nesting Scrapstore and everyone who donated money to help build The Annex.
A closing down sale will begin on 31 January, with more details here.
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