Kirkwall shop with 170 years of retail history
(From The Orcadian dated December 19, 2002)

Standing side by side, the shop fronts of long established Orkney businesses, Cumming and Spence, and John Scarth's, Albert Street, Kirkwall, as they were in 1924.

A little piece of Kirkwall’s retail history is up for sale, with the chance to acquire one of the county’s oldest grocery outlets as Scarth Orkney, which comprises both the Scarthcentre and Cumming and Spence, have been put on the market.

The origins of Cumming and Spence go back well beyond living memory – it is suggested 170 years.

Originally the shop was located across the road from the current premises – probably where the Abbey National now stands.

The business was founded by local merchant James Cumming, it is thought, early in the 19th century.

According to the census, Mr Cumming was joined in partnership, some time between 1881 and 1891, by his grocer’s assistant Robert Spence, who was born in Birsay in 1850.

Mr Cumming died between 1891 and 1901, and Robert Spence continued as sole owner.

In 1902, the shop moved to its present site – a building which had housed library books prior to the construction of the present library on Laing Street.

There is a newspaper advert, dated May, 1902, which intimates that Cumming and Spence, bakers, confectioners and seedsmen, removed to larger premises opposite their old premises in Albert Street.

The advert states: “As the new premises have been specially fitted up for their trade, Cumming & Spence are able to execute all orders entrusted to them with promptitude and despatch.”

Robert was succeeded by his son Robert (Bob) S. Spence, born 1890, who was a popular local figure, and leader of Kirkwall Town Band for a number of years.

In 1946 Stromness baker, George Argo, became a partner, and Bob retired in the early 50s, according to his family. He died on 5th November, 1965.

George had come to Stromness in 1932 as a baker, and worked for Nicholson’s the bakers in Stromness, with whom he entered into a partnership before taking on sole ownership. He greatly expanded the business with his stake in Cumming and Spence.

A newspaper article on February 4, 1947, marks George Argo’s entry into the Kirkwall business – and suggests Cumming and Spence was established more than 170 years ago.

It reads: “Seventy guests of Cumming and Spence Ltd, Kirkwall and Stromness merchants, were entertained in the Royal Hotel, Kirk wall, at the first meeting of the staffs in a social capacity since the recent amalgamation of the interests in the two burghs.

“The oldest grocery establishment in Kirkwall, the firm of Cumming and Spence was founded 120 years ago, and for many generations has served the county town also as a leading agency for the supply of farmers’ feeding stuffs and as bakers.

“Last November, Mr Robert S. Spence, the sole partner, joined forces with Mr George Argo, baker Stromness, to inaugurate the new company of Cumming& Spence, Ltd.

“The assembly was presided over, at the outset, by Mr R. S. Spence, the chairman of the company, who was supported by, among others, Mr Argo, managing director: Messrs Geo. E. Brass and W.C. Howard, and Mrs Madge Baikie, the secretary.”

In around 1960-61 George Argo sold the business to Mrs Rita Jamieson and David Spence who ran it for a number of years.

Mrs Jamieson sold Cumming and Spence on to Tom Laird in August,1987. Mr Laird already owned another long standing Orkney business, Scarth Orkney, which had been established in 1885, as John Scarth, millwright and engineer.

For many years, John Scarth’s shop stood next door to Cumming and Spence at 15 Albert Street, with a workshop on Mill Street.