A DOLGELLAU institution is up for sale.

Siop y Cymro, which has been serving the people of Dolgellau since 1963, has been put on the market and long-term proprietor Llion James hopes to have a buyer in place before he retires in the new year.

Llion, who inherited the shop from his father Idris Wyn James, will turn 65 next January but has fond memories of his time in the much-loved shop.

“I could write a book about all the stories and customers I’ve had in here over the years,” he told the Cambrian News.

“My dad wouldn’t give me a paper round as a boy but I had to learn all the routes in case someone didn’t show up, I’ve been involved with the shop all my life aside from the six years I spent living in Newtown.

“It’s a difficult business now though. It’s the same for all the shops I’d say, we’re all feeling the pinch.

“My daughters have both trained as nurses and have no interest in the shop, so it’s time for me to sell up.

“We used to sell 3,000 Easter eggs in a season but now we don’t sell any.

“The hey days were probably the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s but it’s all changed now, especially since the big supermarkets came in.

“But I’ve been here 50 years, it’s been an eventful time.”

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