Wick left with no post office as High Street branch shuts
Wick has been left with no post office following the decision by temporary postmaster Kevin Milkins to close the branch in the town's High Street with immediate effect.
Mr Milkins (66) had intended to pull out at the end of March but opted to bring forward his scheduled retirement from the business, citing "operational difficulties" that are taking their toll on his health.
He opened the post office branch at 125-127 High Street in January 2021, giving the town a shop-based post office service for the first time since October 2020.
Mr Milkins also has Birons Ironmongers in Bridge Street, which has been on the market since last summer.
He says it has been a difficult year with the death of his wife Dawn from cancer in May 2022.
In a Facebook post at the weekend, Mr Milkins stated: "Due to operational difficulties, I have decided to bring my scheduled retirement forward and call it a day with the Post Office.
"I do appreciate this decision will be an inconvenience to some, but I don’t think there will ever be a good time to pull the plug.
"There is no single reason for making this decision, but lots of small issues that are having an accumulative effect on my health.
"I thank everyone that has helped and supported us over the last couple of years and I hope someone will step forward to run a service for the town."
A notice stuck to the front door of the premises says: "This Post Office is now closed. 20/2/23."
A Post Office spokesperson said: "We are exploring ways to restore a service to Wick as soon as possible.”
Full story to follow.