Forres businesswoman Pearl Hamilton of PEARL’S (Pet Care) is set to retire after decades in business on Tolbooth Street

A Forres town centre institution is set to close after 40 years in business.

PEARL’S (Pet Care) owner, Pearl Hamilton has confirmed that she is set to retire and place the popular Tolbooth Street shop on the market as a going concern.

She said: “I firmly believe there is still a need for a specialist pet trade shop in town.

“I have many fond memories of my time as shopkeeper, particularly of people who came in as bairns then back as adults, often with grandchildren and now great grandchildren in tow!

“I‘ve also built friendships that will last a lifetime. I am deeply thankful to everyone - family, friends, colleagues, suppliers, customers and clients - who supported, trusted and encouraged me on my journey.”

Pearl was born at Craigroy Cottages, Half Davoch but moved to the Borders, attending primary school near Peebles. Her family eventually moved back to the area to help on her granny’s croft Bog-a-wood, and take on Slatehaugh Croft in Newtyle Forest.

She believes her hard work ethic started when she learned to hand-milk a cow at just nine-years-old.

She said: “You can take the quine out the croft, but you can’t quite take the croft out the quine!”

Years later in 1982, Pearl started a business in the old Post Office building in Kinloss, offering household goods, a video library, and a second hand store, as well as computer games for fellow local firm, Jaycee’s Computer Centre.

“In the beginning, there were only two two foot shelves of pet foods,” she explained. “My vision was to grow that side of the business.

“However, the banks would not give a business loan to a housewife so I privately borrowed a six month, no interest loan, which I paid back in three months!”

Pearl ran her business for 23 years in Kinloss in three rented premises.

“I then bought premises on Tolbooth Street,” said Pearl. “and traded for around five years at the two shops.

“However, seeing the changes and decline of personnel and families at nearby RAF Kinloss, while attracting many customers in Forres and further afield, the time was right to have just one shop in Forres.”

Pearl, who was also a representative of the Federation of Small Businesses, has employed around 10 people over the years.

“Some were returning to work after an absence,” she said. “There were a few on the government’s Youth Training Scheme and I also provided work experience for students.”

She finished: “I often lack diplomacy but I must have got some things right!”