Highlands and Islands MSP Tim Eagle has raised the fate of Stornoway Post Office in the chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
Speaking in a debate at Holyrood on the transformation plan of the Post Office yesterday the Scottish Conservative MSP reiterated his concern at the possible loss of the post offices in Stornoway and Kirkwall and the impact it would have on the local island communities. He echoed the comments of Stornoway residents he had recently met, describing any closure of their centrally-located post office as “a retrograde step” and against the founding principles of the Post Office as a national institution. He also highlighted assurances given when high street banks, such as the TSB, closed their branches that banking facilities would continue to be available through the post office.
Speaking after the debate Mr Eagle said: “It is right that such potentially damaging developments as the closure of these post offices should be debated in the Scottish Parliament and I was pleased to have the opportunity to represent my constituents who have raised this matter with me.
“We always have to bear in mind the impact decisions like these can have on the sustainability of our island communities and ensure that the Post Office and other bodies, take that into account. I sincerely hope that the Post Office will think again and consult properly with the communities affected.”