Nancy Black's chandlery, Oban

[Humblebee]

Just heard this weekend that long established chandlery, Nancy Black's in Oban, has closed. Don't know if it is for good or if a buyer may be found.
Shame, they've been there a lot of years. Maybe a bit pricey but good to have a local chandler.
With an active sailing club, a revitalised marina on Kerrera and the new transit berths in Oban itself I hope there is demand for a local chandler, shame to see Nancy Black's closing.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Apparently a truck turned up and loaded up all the stock. Probably not going to open again and it is a shame that Oban does not have a chandlers. However, if frequenting any of the marinas, all have chandlers, so it is not that bad.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Coo, that's the end of an era, isn't it? A quick google suggests (https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-oban-times/20170406/283764198867052) that they have been around since 1965, and although the chandlery was not large, they had all the necessities and the people were friendly. As BlowingOldBoots says, there are plenty of other chandleries in the area (big shout-out to Seafare in Tobermory) but it's going to hit Oban and Kerrera as destinations. And how about Ardrishaig - wasn't the Yotspot chandlery a Nancy Black outpost?

 

[Quandary]

Coo, that's the end of an era, isn't it? A quick google suggests (https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-oban-times/20170406/283764198867052) that they have been around since 1965, and although the chandlery was not large, they had all the necessities and the people were friendly. As BlowingOldBoots says, there are plenty of other chandleries in the area (big shout-out to Seafare in Tobermory) but it's going to hit Oban and Kerrera as destinations. And how about Ardrishaig - wasn't the Yotspot chandlery a Nancy Black outpost?

They did sell Nancy Black giftware, not much chandlery though, the business was Oban owned, connected to Forbes Boatcare. They have tried to diversify and took over the local post office much to the chagrin of the locals, the Post Office is the bit still operating but under fire in the local press for not meeting the opening hours, giftware is very depleted and the chandlery mostly gone. Not sure if they intend to open the restaurant next summer or not .
Shame about Nancy Blacks, though I did prefer Seafare. Stocking a big enough range of chandlery to sell on the street must be a tough business these days?
Can't see how the loss will reduce the yachting through put much though, while it was handy not many folk visited Oban just to shop in Nancy Blacks.

 

[JumbleDuck]

They did sell Nancy Black giftware, not much chandlery though, the business was Oban owned, connected to Forbes Boatcare. They have tried to diversify and took over the local post office much to the chagrin of the locals, the Post Office is the bit still operating but under fire in the local press for not meeting the opening hours, giftware is very depleted and the chandlery mostly gone. Not sure if they intend to open the restaurant next summer or not .

Thanks. We had a very good meal there in 2016 but for different reasons didn't manage in either direction last summer.

Shame about Nancy Blacks, though I did prefer Seafare. Stocking a big enough range of chandlery to sell on the street must be a tough business these days?

Yup. I reckon you need a captive market and you need to sell other stuff because the only chandlery you're like to sell is small maintenance stuff and distress purchases. I'd have thought the new transit marina would provide a significant boost for Nancy Black's, but it looks as if they couldn't last long enough to find out

Can't see how the loss will reduce the yachting through put much though, while it was handy not many folk visited Oban just to shop in Nancy Blacks.

We went to Kererra last summer - and ended up leaving the boat there for a fortnight - in part because I knew I could get some bits I needed at Nancy Blacks. We also went there because Tesco is handy and there is a train to civilisation, but the chandlery was certainly part of the reason.

 

[Romeo]

There is a useful shop in Oban, just across from Nancy Black's which sells outdoor stuff, including Kayak stuff. Might have that very thing you are looking for.

http://www.outsideedgeoban.com/products/

Can't be easy running a chandlery. Generally when I dropped in on Nancy Black they did not have the very thing I was looking for, or if they did it was in the wrong size. Always pleasant though.

 

[NormanS]

Alba yachts at Dunstaffnage, not to be confused with the marina "chandlery", keep a fair selection of boat stuff, and are very helpful.

 

[Amulet]

Am I the only one who can remember Nancy Black sailing a GP14 before she opened the chandlery! In those days there were GP14 races in West Highland Week. In fact, here is a picture - from 1961.

 

[Seajet]

Even on the southern English coast an independent chandlery is a very dicey business to take on.

I once temped at a small but well stocked place, even a good 20 years ago the manager reckoned himself lucky to make a general 10% markup - far too little - and that place closed years ago, no doubt helped on its way by his remarkably rude attitude.

When I started sailing there were at least 5 chandleries just in the small town of Emsworth; now the last one, Seateach ( they changed the name to ' Ocean ' recently ) have moved to Thornham Marina and a friend there says there are ' closing down sale ' signs - BUT I stress that is unconfirmed, may have been a false impression - I'll check when I can.

Apart from them the nearest independent chandlery I can think of offhand is the excellent Piplers on Poole Quay, at least they have a very good mail order side, but...

People just cannot compete with the internet and the buying power of Force 4 and Marine Superstore - both of which also offer excellent service as well as keen prices, I must say.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Apart from them the nearest independent chandlery I can think of offhand is the excellent Piplers on Poole Quay, at least they have a very good mail order side, but...

We do well up here, then. On the Clyde we have excellent chandleries at both Largs and Kip marinas, plus Duncan's in Glasgow, and out in the hairy bits there are very good places at Crinan, Ardfern, Craobh and Tobermory. Mind you, my local place, Kippford Slipway, is trying to get planning permission for housing and the chandlery has almost closed.

 

[Quandary]

Crinan and Ardfern are both supported by very busy boatyards, that I think is how they manage to maintain the great stocks of mundane items like nuts bolts and screws that they carry, I can not recall any item that Ardfern could not find for me in stock, or if a specialist spare part, get within a couple of days.

 

[Gwylan]

Just heard this weekend that long established chandlery, Nancy Black's in Oban, has closed. Don't know if it is for good or if a buyer may be found.
Shame, they've been there a lot of years. Maybe a bit pricey but good to have a local chandler.
With an active sailing club, a revitalised marina on Kerrera and the new transit berths in Oban itself I hope there is demand for a local chandler, shame to see Nancy Black's closing.

We spent a large part of the alleged summer based at Oban. From the stock offering and the gaps it looked like they were running the business down. There were a lot more frocks and frippery than actual chandlery.

The internet must have made things even harder. Order stuff on line and pick it up at your next port of call. Worked for all sorts of essential and desirable bits during the summer.

Seems a special irony that the shop closes as the new transit facility is opened and the new operators at Kerera are getting into their stride.

 

[JumbleDuck]

We spent a large part of the alleged summer based at Oban. From the stock offering and the gaps it looked like they were running the business down. There were a lot more frocks and frippery than actual chandlery.

I think that's the case just about everywhere. Few people buy expensive things like instruments mid-cruise, and there isn't that much money in the occasional shackle, but lots of people buy clothes, shoes and nautical knick knacks. Nancy Blacks supplied a new Breton cap this summer to replace my previous one which went over the side during a fraught small hours moment at Ardinamir ...