Sudden closure of Orkney's main post office 'deeply concerning'
Customers have been redirected to other branches, including one a ferry ride away.
Islanders have been left stunned by the sudden closure of Orkney’s main post office.
Customers found a handwritten note in the window of Kirkwall's Junction Road branch this week explaining the closure. While the Post Office apologised for the inconvenience, no date has been given for when the service will reopen.
Orkney’s MSP Liam McArthur said he was astonished at the lack of any consultation with the local community, and the loss of essential services for islanders.
“This is deeply concerning news,” he said.
“The Kirkwall Post Office is a valued community hub which provides essential services.”
Mr McArthur said a sudden loss of essential services on this scale will have a serious impact on islanders.
London-based Universal Office Equipment (UOE) took over the running of the former Crown Post Office as a franchise last autumn.
The Post Office said the branch was closed due to staffing issues.
Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael lambasted the closure saying it was an “utter insult to the community.”
“This is an outrage and I shall be challenging the Post Office and UOE to explain themselves as a matter of urgency,” he said.
“Whatever the exact cause or intended outcome of this closure, for it to be announced through a message posted in the window and with no official information given is an utter insult to the community.”
He added: “The Post Office is publicly owned and must be accountable to our communities. We deserve better than this shoddy treatment.”
The handwritten note in the window read: "We are very sorry. UOE and Post Office have made the decision to close this branch until further notice.
"If you have a parcel, currency etc to collect, please contact Post Office directly."
A spokesperson said any parcels inside the branch would be collected by the relevant courier companies.
The company directed customers to other branches on the island, including ones at Papdale Stores or in Balfour village, the latter requiring a ferry ride to Shapinsay.
Papdale Stores proprietor Betty Muir said the closure took her business by surprise.
She told the BBC’s Around Orkney show: "The first we knew about it was yesterday morning. We were extremely busy and the girls wondered what on earth was going on because it felt like Christmas.
"You would have thought at least they would have given us some prior warning of what was going to be happening so we could have prepared ourselves for the influx of people."
The Post Office spokesperson said: "Kirkwall Post Office has experienced staffing difficulties over a long period of time and now, regrettably, the branch has had to temporarily close.
"We want to thank our partner UOE for helping us to operate this branch on a temporary basis to provide continuity of service to the residents, businesses and tourists in Orkney since last November."
The company said long term plans including modernising the branch at a new location, details of which will be shared “later this year.”
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