Service with a smile as new mobile post office service starts in Wick

It was all smiles from the postmaster of the temporary mobile post office service that started this week in Wick at the riverside car park.

Postmaster Glyn Jackson from Lybster has worked various rural routes around Caithness along with his wife Joy over the last 14 years.

"The Wick post office [on Bridge Street] shut last Friday and then we started here on Tuesday," said Glyn.

There was a minor glitch in the national Post Office communications system so Glyn had a moment to talk about the new service in Wick and how well it was working.

"I can do most services here and if there are too many letters and parcels coming in, like what could happen in the month leading up to Christmas, I can contact [the depot at] Green Road to come down and pick it all up."

Glyn had not heard any complaints about the new service but said he wouldn't be surprised if there were a "few grumblings".

"It's obviously not as convenient as having a regular nine to five post office. Most of the villages I cover have gone from a full-time post office down to two or four hours a week and that was a big shock for people.

"Here, it's gone from 20 hours to 13 so it's not that much of a shock."

Glyn said that customers have got used to queuing outside anyway due to social distancing. "It's fine when it's a sunny day like this but obviously not as much on a cold winter's day."

A few people were observed parking up in their cars close to the van in the riverside car park and obviously had no worries about the double yellow lines painted on the road outside the former Bridge Street branch.

Donna Sinclair was taking in post from Reiss and said that the service was a "lifeline" for many people in her village.

"It's a lifeline for many people in Reiss who completely rely on the post office for paying bills, getting their pensions and suchlike."

"Then there's the social aspect of it as they all love Glyn," she added.

A Post Office spokesperson said: "The travelling post office is aboard a specifically designed vehicle. It is a tried and tested way of maintaining service to communities.

"It provides the best possible temporary solution to maintain post office services to the community whilst we continue to seek a permanent solution."

Dunbeath man George Bethune was also at the riverside car park as the van was operating today and had a thought to share.

"It's interesting that Dunbeath, Dornoch and Wick post offices all started up in 1715. Dunbeath and Dornoch are still going strong but Wick's gone now."

Parking is available within the large riverside car park, which has designated marked disabled bays.

A wide range of services will continue to be available. Customers can still collect benefits in cash using our everyday banking services or Post Office card account.

There is a step into the mobile vehicle, however an electronic tailgate is available to facilitate easy access for wheelchair users and those with disabilities.

The mobile service opening hours are Tuesday, 2.45-3.45pm; Wednesday, 9am-3pm; Thursday, 9am-1pm; and Friday, 1.30-3.30pm. There will be no service on Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Post Office Ltd issues clarification over Wick mobile unit

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