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One of Orkney's busiest post offices shuts 'without warning'

News imageN Chadwick/Geograph An exterior view of the post office in Kirkwall. It is a white harled walled building with a carving of a Viking long boat above its door. A woman is walking down the access ramp from the front door.N Chadwick/Geograph
The branch in Kirkwall is decribed as being key to Orkney's postal system

One of the busiest post offices in Orkney has been shut until further notice due to staffing issues.

Customers found a handwritten note stuck to the window of Kirkwall's Junction Road branch on Monday informing them of the closure.

Betty Muir, who runs the nearest alternative branch in the town's Papdale Stores, said no prior warning was given and her staff had no time to prepare for the extra customers.

The Post Office has apologised for the inconvenience. No date has been provided for the reopening of the Junction Road branch.

News imageA handwritten note stuck to a window of the Kirkwall branch. It reads: "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."
Customers came across this note in a window of Kirkwall's Junction Road branch on Monday

London-based Universal Office Equipment (UOE) took over the running of the former Crown Post Office as a franchise last autumn.

The handwritten note posted in the window said: "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."

The Post Office said the branch was closed due to staffing issues.

A spokesperson apologised for any inconvenience caused and directed customers to alternative branches at Papdale Stores or in Balfour village, despite that being a ferry ride away in Shapinsay.

They added that any parcels inside the branch would be collected by the relevant courier companies.

News imageGetty Images A view from a low hill looking across Kirkwall's houses and cathedral spire, and the sea and area of coast land beyond.Getty Images
Residents of Kirkwall have been advised to use alternative branches for services

Papdale Stores proprietor Betty Muir said the closure took her business by surprise.

She told BBC Radio Scotland's Around Orkney programme: "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."

Mark Kirkbride, who runs Finstown Post Office, said the Junction Road branch provided driving licence, foreign currency and passport services.

"It is absolutely key to the whole post office system," he said.

UOE has been approached for comment.