Cllr Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has responded to the announcement that Stornoway Post Office could be at risk of closure as part of national cutbacks. The Stornoway Post Office branch was included on a list of 115 post offices at risk of closure in a statement issued this week.
Cllr Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said:
“I was hugely disappointed to see Stornoway included on a list of Post Offices at risk of closure. The withdrawal of a publicly run services in favour of reliance on private business would increase the vulnerability of this key service moving forward. Earlier this year following the decision by TSB to close their Stornoway branch the suggested alternative for TSB customers to carry out bank transactions was Stornoway Post Office. Now these same customers are told that the Post Office service at its long-established location is at risk.
“Island residents already face challenges in sending and receiving parcels to the mainland, and any move that would add to this disadvantage should of course be avoided. While the Post Office offers online alternatives it is important that we safeguard services for those whose first choice is to visit the Post Office and undertake their business within the Branch.
“The Stornoway Post Office branch has provided employment for local professionals for years. I am concerned that the closure of this branch would see the loss of these jobs or their migration to remote positions that do not guarantee employment for individuals based in the Western Isles.”