Forres’ new large convenience store in Premier on Nairn Road opens to the public
A long-vacant former garage and showroom in a booming Moray town has re-opened as a large convenience store.
The Premier Forres shop - one of a number of businesses approved for the old Pedigreed Cars premises on Bogton Place - is being managed by Arul Palaniappan, owner of the Bishopmill and New Elgin petrol stations in Elgin.
He said: “We’ve been looking to open a store in Forres for the last few years.
“This property is perfect as it’s in a good location, there’s plenty of space and it has lovely landlords!”
He added: “Our produce includes locally sourced food from businesses including Murdoch Butchers, Wester Hardmuir, Alves Apiary, Allarburn Farm Shop, Brackla Farm Free Range Eggs, Nicolas Homebakes and Sinclairs of Rhynie … Amongst others!”
Landlords, husband and wife Liam and Eileen Wood of Glenburgie Property, are happy to see the large store help to revitalise the area around Nairn Road and St Catherine’s Road.
Eileen said: “We’ve seen how successful the Elgin stores are and are confident this will be repeated here. It’s a really nice shop too!”
Erskine Veterans Activity Centre North opened at the former Victoria Hotel in April; the old corner newsagent across the road is being prepared for a new business; and the Woods have plans to be revealed for The Nicolson Building around the corner.
Liam added: “We’re delighted to see the old car showroom in full use again. It helps tidy up this end of town which had been a bit of a boorach for a while!”
Premier Forres has Post Office functions and is open from 7am to 10pm daily. All 4,400 Premier stores in the UK are locally owned by independent retailers, stocking branded and own brand products.
Elgin estate agent CCL Property acted as the owners’ agent, helping to arrange the deal with Mr Palaniappan.
Director at CCL, David Pickering, praised Mr Palaniappan’s successful history of running retail premises in Moray.
“Local produce is a focus for the new shop,” he said, “along with an excellent level of customer service and an excellent reputation.”
Mr Pickering added: “The key thing is that Arul is a really experienced operator.
“I have seen what his team has done with the Bishopmill Service Station, which used to be the Buccaneer - it has been transformed into something exceptionally well-performing.”
Until Mr Moto moved into the former garage last year, the site had lain empty since the business was closed.
However, since purchasing by the Woods in 2021, the large space has been redeveloped into smaller units.
The other businesses in the same building are: Mr Moto Motorcycles; Highland Classic Car; Raffs Motors, Moto Barber, Happy Little Preloved and Glenburgie Cars.
The units have more than 20 parking spaces for the public and staff, and nine parking spaces for motorbikes.
A footpath maintains access between St Catherine’s Road and Nairn Road.
An electric car charging station, with space for two cars, is also included in plans submitted to Moray Council.
The decision comes 30 years after a bid to demolish the car dealership to build a supermarket, which was refused in 1994.
