Ibrahim Ahmad quit law to reopen his father’s shop after Station News was demolished for a hotel
A much-loved Inverness convenience store, forced to shut down two years ago to make way for a hotel, has reopened under the stewardship of the founder’s son, who left a legal career to bring it back.
Station News, once based near Inverness Bus Station, closed in October 2023 after Rose Street Hall — the building housing the shop — was demolished to make room for a 210-bed hotel. The closure marked the end of a 13-year run for the family-run business, which had become a reliable stop for commuters and locals.
Now, Ibrahim Ahmad, 30, has returned from Manchester, where he worked at a law firm, to reopen the store. Last month, he launched a new Station News on Union Street, just a short walk from Inverness train station.
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Mr Ahmad, who studied law in Dundee before joining a firm on a graduate scheme, said his decision to leave the profession was motivated by family ties and a sense of responsibility to his father, Munawar Ahmad.
“It was quite difficult for us as a family when the old shop was demolished,” he explained. “That’s what we relied on. My dad had put everything into it, and it was hard to watch it go.”
Munawar, who had worked as a taxi driver in London before moving to Inverness, used his savings to establish the first Station News. Over time, the store became the family’s livelihood. “Initially it was very dead, and then slowly I saw it build up,” Ibrahim recalled. “It came to a point where it was providing a good living for my family.”
Although trained as a solicitor, Ibrahim admitted he could not practise law in Scotland due to his English law qualification. “It was either this or law,” he said. “And I couldn’t do law here. Now that I think about it, it was a bit foolish.”
The reopening has meant long hours, but Ibrahim said his previous career prepared him. “Working in a law firm was mentally draining. This is more physically tiring, but less stressful overall.”
Customers from the bus station days have welcomed the return of Station News, though most of the current trade now comes from Union Street footfall. Sales improved significantly when the nearby Co-op temporarily closed for refurbishment.
Competing with supermarkets remains a challenge. “Independents always have a disadvantage because we buy smaller quantities,” Ibrahim said. “But some of our items are cheaper, especially compared to WH Smith.”
He has also priced coffee to undercut competitors. Espressos are £1 and cappuccinos £1.50 — likely the cheapest in the city centre. “Some people think it’s too cheap,” he admitted. “But for taxi drivers and tourists, it works.”
For now, his priority is survival. “The next two years will just be about making sure it doesn’t die,” he said. “If it survives, then hopefully we’ll build up a good customer base.”
Looking at Inverness more broadly, Ibrahim highlighted both strengths and challenges for small businesses. “People here are very open to new businesses, and rents are lower than in other cities,” he said. “But the population is smaller, and we rely heavily on tourism.”
He also pointed to issues around housing and hotel costs. “Tourists complain about hotel prices. If it’s too expensive, they might rethink coming back.”
For Ibrahim, reopening Station News is as much about heritage as business. “My dad worked incredibly hard for this shop,” he said. “Keeping it alive feels like the right thing to do.”