The Queen’s cousin, the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, has blamed Angus Council for the demise of one of Forfar’s oldest and most prominent businesses, David Irons & Sons Ltd.
Lord Strathmore said he was “deeply saddened” to close the ironmongery shop, which dates from the 19th century.
He said the council held “much ofthe blame” for the shop’s demise, with the arrival of the Asda supermarket nearbyas well as other discount retailers inForfar.
The earl, whose family seat is Glamis Castle, bought the Castle Street outlet in October 2005 from Marshall and Michael Irons, whose great-great-grandfather, George, established the business in1840.
The shop developed to sell a wide range of goods, from hardware and household electrical items to tableware and decorative items.
The earl said: “It is with deep regret that I have to announce the forthcoming closure of David Irons and Sons in Forfar. An array of factors have built up against us over the past eight years.
“Firstly, the inextricable rise of the internet, which I can only see going one way and that is ever upwards.Secondly, over the past 18 months, we have had severe staffing issues within the shop.
“Thirdly, I’m afraid much of the blame must be laid at the council’s doorstep, with the arrival of Asda and three large discount stores within the small town of Forfar.
“With the cost of renovations carried out due to fire regulations and increasing overheads, plus all the above factors taken into consideration, it is quite impossible to continue trading.
“I realise that Forfar will lose one of its iconic retail shops and my wife and I are deeply saddened having had to come to this decision.”
Staff at the shop are working towards a provisional closing date of June 27.
Forfar councillor Colin Brown said he was “shocked” to hear the news.
He said: “I’ve used the shop for probably 50 years. Irons always had whatever you needed and I know farmers in the area used to rely on it heavily. It’s a real shame it’s closing.”
George Irons formed a partnership with his cousin to open the ironmongers and seed business at 14 East High Street, Forfar in 1840. The partnership lasted for 10 years before it was dissolved and the business carried on by George, who died in 1872.
His son David Irons Snr continued the business, before it passed to his sons David Irons Jnr and William.
In 1907 they bought Petrie’s Temperance Hotel in Castle Street and transformed it into the current premises, opening the current site in November 1908. It included a water operated lift which is still in working order today.
On the death of David Irons Jnr, the business was carried on by his son William, then his sons Michael and Marshall.
On buying the business in 2005, the earl said he was keen to retain the character and charm of the shop, which he had fond memories of visiting as a child.
David Hutcheson, a committee member of the Tayside branch of business group Institute of Directors, said: “It is a real shame when a company with so much history ceases to trade.
“Shops like Irons provide goods you can’t get from the big companies. The problem is, with the growth of the internet, people who want to shop online will do it.
“Small shops have to find some way of adapting to the internet, or offering a personal service that people can’t get online.”
Angus council declined to comment.
The news has been greeted by sadness from scores of customers and supporters on David Irons’ own Facebook page.
One posted: “Very sad to hear about the closure of this iconic store. Unfortunately, unless locals get behind independent shops in Forfar and Angus then we will end up a ghost town with only supermarkets left.”
Another said: “In times of economic crisis people looked for cheapest options … There are true loyal customers who will go back to the long-standing shops but it is the upcoming trade from young generation which is needed to sustain the small businesses.
“If you want to keep that hub of community spirit BUY LOCAL.”