At Random - 13.2.25

Why? Very simply, because I found myself compellingly struck in the past week or so by a number of stories in The Oban Times that were apparently unrelated but which resonated in my mind as indivisible. 

The first, rather obviously, was the acquisition by a local entrepreneur of Oban Phoenix Cinema. There has been no indication yet about what new owner Paul Sloan might do with the building, but the very fact that he has thrown cash at it is hugely encouraging.

I would love to see the cinema continue but that may very well not be the case. Mr Sloan told us: "My plans for the building cannot be discussed until there is something concrete on the table."

Fair enough. However, LiveArgyll, a charity-based leisure trust, said: "When LiveArgyll were made aware that the Oban Phoenix Cinema had been sold, we were keen to ensure that any assets which might be of use to the community were purchased for the purpose of keeping them in Oban. We were able to purchase some projection and audio equipment, alongside some bar items. The latter items will be utilised in the Corran Halls bar.”

Huzzah! We will still have cinema nights in the town.

Then there was the good news that the empty WHSmith store in the heart of George Street and right on the harbour is to be taken over by Mountain Warehouse, presently just a few yards away. We haven’t yet heard what will become of the premises the business is vacating but planning permission has been passed to turn it into a food and drink venue.

These commercial units are being snapped up and thank goodness. Oban is obviously a great place to do business and long may that continue to be the case. I’m also sure Andy Spence and his team at BID4Oban deserve a pat on the back!