Praise for couple coming to rescue of Wick post office
A couple who have stepped in to restore a fixed post office service to Wick have been praised for their dedication to the community.
Glyn and Joy Jackson said they will set up the service in the town's Poundstretcher store and hope to open before the end of the month.
The new post office will operate four days a week, leaving the couple free to also continue their mobile service across the north.
Mr Jackson said an agreement has been reached with Poundstretcher, with arrangements being made to move all the necessary kit.
He expected the new post office should be up and running by the end of March or sooner "if everything goes to plan".
The new service in Poundstretcher will operate from 9am to 12.30pm and 1pm-4pm, Mondays to Thursdays.
The news was welcomed by the area's MP Jamie Stone and MSP Maree Todd, along with business leader Trudy Morris.
Mr Stone, the Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has been calling for a solution to the continuing problems facing the Wick service.
The town centre post office on High Street closed on February 20, leaving Wick without a shop-based post office for the second time in just over two years.
Mr and Mrs Jackson stepped in by adding a Wick stop to their mobile post office round, but have now offered to run a fixed service in the town as well.
Mr Stone said: "This is absolutely fantastic news, and my thanks go to all those involved in restoring these vital services to Wick. All credit to Glyn and Joy Jackson for stepping up to serve the community, though of course this is not the first time they have taken on this mighty responsibility.
"With the new post office located just off the town centre, and open for longer hours, local people will have even better access than before. It's a marvellous result. As disappointing it was to see Wick's only post office closed once more, it is ten times as joyous to see such a promising solution found so quickly."
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SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Ms Todd had also pushed for a return of the post office to Wick, and said: “I am delighted to hear the news that Poundstretcher will now host a post office, after a period of uncertainty for the local community and businesses.
“Our rural communities are often faced with the threat of downgraded services, so this is a hugely positive outcome which allows for Wick’s postal need to be met on an ongoing and permanent basis.
“My thanks to Glyn and Joy Jackson, Poundstretcher and the Post Office for working at pace to identify a sustainable solution.”
While the new set-up involves a month-to-month rolling contract, Mr Jackson is confident it will prove to be a long-term solution.
He said: "It's inside and it gives longer hours of opening for people in and around Wick.
"Hopefully the queues won't build up – but if they do, at least people are waiting inside."
Trudy Morris, chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, said: “I am delighted to hear plans for re-installation of a permanent post office service in Wick. Hopefully this will offer local businesses and the community a sustainable solution.
"Accesses to essential services, such as the post office, is key in maintaining our town centres, particularly in rural communities such as our own in the north Highlands.”
Mr Jackson started his mobile business when he left Watten post office in 2006 and has been job-sharing with his wife for the past 10 years.
A Post Office spokesperson this week said they could not yet confirm plans to relocate Wick post office to a shop, but added: “In February, we quickly organised a mobile post office for Wick when the postmaster resigned at short notice. We are keen to restore a post office within a shop premises. We hope to soon be able to share good news.”