Watsons of Inverurie - Closure after 182 years

That the Parliament notes the planned closure in July after 182 years of Watsons in Inverurie, which sells a variety of DIY equipment and garden supplies; understands the current owner, Mary Sloan, the first to own the business outside of the Watson family since 1872, is retiring and closing the store; recognises the business has operated from the same premises since it opened in 1839, initially opened by A&J Bisset then taken over by Inverurie Provost John MacIntyre Watson and run by his family for four successive generations prior to Mrs Sloan taking over in the year 2000; acknowledges the importance to communities of local family-run businesses such as Watsons, and wishes Mrs Sloan and her team of staff well for the future.