Wednesday June 24th 2026
Borders Gun Room
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
The owner of a long-established Borders outdoor sports shop has spoken of the ever-increasing challenges he faces from online rivals – and his concerns at being replaced by AI.
The Borders Gunroom in Main Street St Boswells was established in 1989 by Michael Clarkson.
Shaun Twite started working there in 1991 and five years later he took over the premises and later expanded it to incorporate a fishing department.
The outlet has been a destination shop for locals and visiting customers from all over the UK and the world for almost four decades.
The shooting and fishing industry brings a lot of visitors to the UK, who spend vast amounts of money in the local economy.
But the retail climate has become increasingly challenging in recent years.
Mr Twite believes retail shops face an “unprecedented crisis” due to shifting consumer habits, soaring operating costs and a shift to online shopping.
Further operating pressures include rising wages, national insurance, energy bills, advertising and pension contributions.
Mr Twite is keeping his options open and recently submitted a planning application to Scottish Borders Council for permission to convert part of the outlet into housing.
But he’s committed to retaining the business despite the ongoing pressures.
He said: “In the old days customers came from miles around to visit the shop. Online shopping was only a small part of the market.
“Customers purchased items from the choice available in the shop. Now online shopping allows shoppers to see every variation of the product they are looking for at the cheapest price and free shipping.
“The Borders Gunroom will continue as long as possible in its present form but the logistics of operating such a large retail shop does not hold well for the future.
“Although the shop might become smaller it will still operate and carry the basics for sometime to come.”
The main part of the business will continue as a gunsmiths, for repairing and selling guns and ammunition and gun storage and valuations.
Mr Twite has warned that businesses such as his folding would be a “big loss to the community”, adding: “Fishers can get local permits and advice for local rivers. It will be a big loss to the community when a small retailer like this disappears.
“Customers visiting the shop also visit other local retailers in the village so the knock on effect will be felt far and wide.
“Land management for fishing and shooting also has huge benefits to the biodiversity of the environment.
“Activists against blood sports are making it increasingly difficult to maintain the benefits of managing the countryside for the better.”
Staffing costs are also an ongoing concern.
Mr Twite said: “A shop like ours has to have several staff to maintain the different aspects of the business.
“Even if the shop is not particularly busy some days it still requires someone to answer the phone dozens of times each day, one or two staff to serve behind the counter, issuing fishing permits, fitting fishing lines, giving advice about local fishing and amenities, taking guns in for disposal and repairs.
“The shopkeeper who offer a service to their customers rather than just pure retail are going to be replaced by on-line shopping, Youtube and AI for advice.”
Tweet Share on Facebook
