Grantown East boss 'devastated but there was no choice'
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It was not Beeching this time – more like an army of Beechings from Brexit to Covid and a crippling cost-of-living crisis – but Grantown East has closed down again some 60 years on.
The departure means the loss of 15 full-time jobs at the tourism attraction on the outskirts of the town.
Owner Karen Blessington told the Strathy that her passion and her personal purse – £2.5 million-worth at the latest reckoning since starting out on the project in 2015 – simply had not been enough to make her dream of a vibrant Highland Heritage and Culture Centre prosper at her Revack Estate.
The staff finally locked up the former railway station venue that had been so lovingly restored at 4pm on Tuesday.
The boss was not there to see it, having chosen to stay at home to consider the future of the site.
Ms Blessington said: "I gave it all I could but after more than four years of trading in these ever tougher circumstances it became clear that there was too much against it.
"I'm devastated but there was no choice.
"I fully expected that the first few years of business would be hard but was committed to personally finance the venture until it could support itself.
"Unfortunately, Grantown East did not have enough time to firmly establish itself before the global Covid pandemic struck and, as for many other businesses, 2020 and 2021 were very tough years."
The business comprised the Highland Heritage and Cultural Centre, retail site, on-board dining in two railway carriages and Revack Mini Railway running on a track stretching nearly one-kilometre.
As 2022 had dawned, restrictions eased and business returned to normal, Ms Blessington dared to hope that the business would flourish but it was not to be.
She said losses continued to mount and there was only one option left having spent so long personally making up monthly £14,000 shortfalls.
Ms Blessington had told her loyal staff: "This is the hardest e-mail I've ever had to compose.
"It is with my deepest sadness that I am writing to inform you that I have decided to cease trading at Grantown East effective immediately."
Grantown East's opening had been a personal triumph for her and partner Dave Garman.
The pair, who moved to the strath from the United States, had overcome more than their fair share of obstacles to launch the tourist attraction.
Thousands had visited the Grantown East Highland Heritage and Cultural Centre and loved it but there was never enough footfall to get the station business on track financially and it never turned a profit
In 'the spirit of transparency', Ms Blessington shared the profit and loss accounts with her staff.
She said: "August 2022 was our busiest month but we still operated at a loss."
Ms Blessington had invited suggestions from all the employees but in the end had had to make the lay-offs.
Grantown Society chairman Bill Sadler said it was disappointing that the station had been forced to close again.
He said: "The closure is an extremely sad event for both the staff and for the community and I imagine even more so for Karen Blessington who has invested so much energy and capital into the project.
"Whilst the development of the centre faced significant challenges the design and product have been of the highest standard – not least the famous breakfast pizzas.
"Not only has the community enjoyed the advantages of an important tourist attraction, several organisations in Grantown have benefited from the community spirit and generosity of its developer.
"We wait and wonder what will happen to Grantown East now and likewise how Karen and Dave will recover from the loss.
"We wish them well."
Strathspey MSP Fergus Ewing (SNP) said: “I’m sorry to learn of this news and one’s thoughts are with the staff.
"Like many others, my family did enjoy a visit to Grantown East to enjoy the fare in the railway carriage – and the attraction certainly offered something rather different for locals and visitors."
As for what happens next, Ms Blessington said the process starts 'today' with all options open.
The site might be sold or let intact, or broken up accordingly, but she said it was far too early to speculate.
She told the Strathy: "Right now I want a break from all the pressures of these years. I'd actually like to get to enjoy my life again."
Mr Garman will continue his Highland Games coaching courses – the couple had created their own games arena at Grantown East – which have proved so popular, creating future stars of the sport including the strath's own Andrew Murphy.
The heritage centre provided short videos about The Speyside Line, The History of the Kilt, An Introduction to Highland Games, The Making of Grantown East Tartan, Kilt Making and The History of the Clydesdale Horse – one of Ms Blessington's biggest passions.
