New man Mullay in the picture as he takes over Camera Centre

Click on image to enlarge.

One of Commercial Street’s longest established businesses has a new boss this week. The Camera Centre, which has operated in the town centre for 32 years, has been taken over by staff member Ben Mullay.

The shop, run by Cecil Hughson since its formation in 1978, was transferred into Mr Mullay’s name on Tuesday and a new company has been registered.

Mr Mullay, 30, who has worked in the shop “on and off” since he was at school, has bought the Camera Centre name and has taken over the lease of the building.

He said: “I have registered a new company in my own right, it’s a good challenge and I’ll continue the work Cecil did over the years.”

The change does not mean Mr Hughson is leaving the shop, however. Mr Mullay said: “Instead of working eight days a week he [Cecil] will be working five days. It will be good to still have him around, for the social aspect as much as anything, he knows so many people and they come into the shop.”

The bank holiday at the weekend gave Camera Centre staff a chance to make some changes to the shop. A new till system has been installed, some walls have been knocked down and the shop “re-jigged”. Ultimately this will mean more customer space.

There will be more focus on the kiosks – a new one will be added before the Tall Ships visit, making a total of five from which customers can print out photos from their digital cameras or cameraphones.

And a big TV above them with a promotional DVD playing to showcase products.

There will be investment in machinery too. “We’re trying to make the shop more modern,” Mr Mullay said.

He continued: “We’re keen to develop the [shop’s] good reputation, that’s very important. We appreciate our loyal customer base and if anyone hasn’t tried us yet, come along.”

Taking over the shop seems a logical step for Mr Mullay, who has a business studies degree from Edinburgh’s Napier University.

He has been interested in photo­graphy since the age of 13 and has a wedding photography business in his own right.

Mr Hughson said about handing the business on: “I’m giving him [Ben] a hand, I passed the audition.”

He would miss the shop if he gave it up completely, he said. “I like meeting the public and chatting, that’s my favourite thing about the shop. I’ve made a lot of friends over the years.”

As his wife Sheila is involved in the Fish Bowl shop next door (owned by the couple’s son) and comes into Lerwick every day: “ I come up too so as not to lose touch with the public.”

He would continue to do family, children’s and wedding photography, he added.

Mr Hughson was originally a teacher of technical subjects but had trained as a photographer while lodging in Edinburgh with his uncle and aunt, who owned a photography studio.

On returning to Shetland he “realised there was a gap in the market for selling expensive cameras, and quickly realised the need for processing films”.

Teaching was dropped in favour of setting up the Camera Centre, which started in a tiny Market Cross premises, formerly a fish and chip shop. In those days, he said, films had to be sent away to Kodak and it cost £9.50 for a spool of 36 photos. “Now you get it in half an hour for the same price.”

He is proud to have been in business so long and wishes Mr Mullay every success.

COMMENTS(3)

Add Your Comment
  • John Pedley

    • May 6th, 2011 15:51

    Wishing Ben all the very best in his new venture and Cecil a happy and well deserved retirement – good to know we’ll still see him around.
    Kind regards
    John.

    REPLY
  • William J Hopkins

    • May 7th, 2011 6:26

    Congratulations Ben from Hop and Jean. We know you will be a success and we will be along to see you when we return from the States.

    Hop and Jean

    REPLY
  • John Symons

    • May 10th, 2011 13:11

    HI Cecil,

    here’s wishing all the best and congratulations for a job well done to a good friend and a smashing bloke.

    PS: A pal from “The Voe” sent me the link just after I’d finished speaking to you today.

    JS

    REPLY

Add Your Comment

Please note, it is the policy of The Shetland Times to publish comments and letters from named individuals only. Both forename and surname are required.

Comments are moderated. Contributors must observe normal standards of decency and tolerance for the opinions of others.

The views expressed are those of contributors and not of The Shetland Times.

The Shetland Times reserves the right to decline or remove any contribution without notice or stating reason.

Comments are limited to 200 words but please email longer articles or letters to editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk for consideration and include a daytime telephone number and your address. If emailing information in confidence please put "Not for publication" in both the subject line and at the top of the main message.

200 words left

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

logo

Get Latest News in Your Inbox

Join the The Shetland Times mailing list to get one daily email update at midday on what's happening in Shetland.