Following months of uncertainty, Post Office Ltd (POL) has finally announced that Skigersta Post Office in Ness will now remain open. Unfortunately, both Northton and Bragar post offices will close as originally planned by POL.

The reprieve for Skigersta follows a six-week public consultation period – during which almost twenty public meetings were organised by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and held in all the areas affected by the closures, in order to give service users an opportunity to put their case in person to Post Office Limited – who attended all the meetings – and Postwatch Scotland, the consumer watchdog in relation to postal services.

Councillor Archie Campbell, Chairman of the Comhairle’s Sustainable Development Committee said:

“The retention of Skigersta Post Office within the local post office network is excellent news for the people of Skigersta, and in particular the more vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and incapacitated, who rely so heavily on the valuable services provided by the post office. It also shows that efforts by the Comhairle which enabled affected communities to put their case directly to Post Office Ltd face-to-face made a significant difference in the case of Skigersta PO. However the other losses remain a disappointment for the affected communities.”

A robust case was put forward for a Mobile Outreach service, that is the possibility of providing a mobile service in the Western Isles, by both Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Postwatch Scotland. And, although initially declined at this stage, Post Office Ltd has undertaken to review the situation again in 12 months’ time.”

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk