20/06/2026
The final straw has dropped onto this camel’s back. So let’s bury the bad news in the excitement of the sports day, and move along quickly.
The news:
For the first time in over a decade, the Skello Shop needs to close for holidays from (incl.) 10 July to 6 August. This is due to a catastrophic failure of the EPOS system, which deals with anything from sales, customer accounts, invoices, prices, labels, tax reports and end-of-day cashing up. I will write more later about why the company “EPOS Now” has switched off my data at very short notice. The emergency new system is working, but it is still difficult to understand, learn and use, so in the time I have available, I cannot train staff enough to keep everything running safely while I am away. This system problem is only the last in a long line of disasters and struggles that have hit the shop in the past few weeks, and no amount of night work has been enough to allow me to catch up.
Anyway.
With immediate effect, I will no longer order in fresh fruit & veg, bread, chilled or frozen goods. When everything is sold off or in the bin, I will switch the electricity-guzzling fridge and freezer off. These things will not come back after the closure. The Skello Shop will no longer sell fresh and frozen food in the future. The plan is to re-open the Post Office afterwards, and continue to sell:
• Alcohol and to***co
• Coffee and homebakes
• Health and speciality foods
• Sweets and snacks
• Long life groceries
• Toiletries and housewares
• Stationery, gifts and toys
I am fully aware that this business model might not work as it probably will not bring in enough customers. Closing at the height of the tourist season is stupid, and I have not taken this decision lightly.
So.
There is no point begging for customers to come and shop here. I have had the most amazing support from loyal local shoppers, who have gone out of their way to put business my way, and without them, this closure would have happened before Covid. I will be putting on flash sales before switching off the machines, so keep an eye out. And I will write in more detail about past reasons and future plans here on Facebook, so follow if you’re interested.
Meanwhile:
Go the Aaks! Make us proud x
Uka
