The recent closure of a convenience store and post office in Edinburgh has revealed the signage for a family-run paper shop that closed more than 40 years ago.
Vintage signage for The Neuk confectioner and tobacconist on St John's Road, Corstorphine, has appeared following the closure of McColl's, which had occupied the site for several decades.
McColl's, which also operated as the community post office, closed its doors for the final time on January 16, following last year's takeover of parent company RS McColl by the Morrisons group.
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In the past week, the modern fascia for McColl's has been removed, revealing the hand-painted 'ghost sign' for The Neuk underneath.
Corstorphine local Gary Hanton snapped a photo of the historic signage and took to Facebook group Lost Edinburgh to share it.
Gary told us: "To be honest, I have very little knowledge of The Neuk, having only moved into the area last year. I used the McColls shop and Post Office, and noticed its closure a few weeks ago.
"Passing by last week, I saw the 'ghost sign' had been revealed, and thought it might arouse some interest. Little did I realise that well over 200 people would 'like' the post."
The re-emergence of the lost shop's sign has sparked fond memories for generation of locals, some of whom recall shopping there going back more than 60 years.
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Margot Mcmurdo commented: "[It] used to be The Neuk, newsagents, sweetie shop and Post Office on St John's Road in the 1960s.
"I used to go there with sixpence from my grandparents who lived at 299 St John's Road, which bought a paper for 3d and a Milky Way for 3d( my treat for going to get the evening newspaper)."
Dorothy Granger explained to us that The Neuk was owned by her grandparents, Crichton and Janie Lockie from 1951 until 1980. It became a RS McColl shortly after that.
Dorothy told Edinburgh Live: "My grandparents bought the Neuk from the previous owners, the Frier Sisters.
"During the time the Lockies owned it, it was very much a family run business, also involving my Aunt and Uncle - Betty and Roy Williamson."
Laraine Archibald said: "My Mum worked there many moons ago when it was the Neuk."
Ronnie Shaw added: "That was a great shop . I remember it from the 1960s."
The McColl store's closure came after Morrisons announced that it had "no realistic prospect" of breaking even. However, the loss of the local post office has caused anger among local residents.
Janice Scott said: "Such a nuisance it’s now closed."
Anne Murray added: "They are totally destroying Corstorphine such a shame."
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