Hunt launched for new operator for Scalloway Post Office

The hunt is on for someone in Scalloway to take over the Post Office service following a decision by Yealtland Books to give up the business.

Postmaster Andrew Jennings is struggling to juggle the post office demands with his lecturing job at the centre for Nordic Studies in the NAFC, and has decided to give up the service.

He has been running it with his wife Alexis since 2008. The shop will continue to sell books, however the Post Office side will close on 12th September. There will be no redundancies as a result of the decision.

Mrs Jennings said she hoped a local business would take on the service which would allow the Post Office to continue in the village.

“We’re very keen that somebody else will take it on, because we know what a valuable service it is and we’re relying on the Post Office to do whatever they can to get a new post office up and running as soon as possible.”

That is something Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael is seeking assurances over. He said many in the village still remembered difficulties caused when the last Post Office closed.

“I understand that there are other local businesses who may be interested in hosting the sub-post office in Scalloway. I shall be pushing the Post Office management to pursue all these options as quickly as possible.

“Local people remember the difficulties caused the last time over the Post Office move in 2008. We must avoid a repetition and ensure that the village has a continuity of service.”