Village store in Strathglass left with 'no choice' over decision to cut Post Office services
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Owners of a village shop in Strathglass say they had "no choice" but to immediately close its Post Office after months of ongoing issues with the retailer's IT system.
Cannich Stores, who also provide grocery, convenience store items an takeaway food, have been providing Post Office services in Cannich since 2014.
But in a statement issued on Wednesday, the proprietors confirmed that the service will no longer continue due to "ongoing issues" with Post Office.
The announcement, shared on the shop's Facebook page, read: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sad news of the immediate closure of the Cannich Post Office.
"Due to ongoing issues with Post Office we find that we are unable to continue to provide our community with this service."
It is understood that the store were facing ongoing difficulties related to Post Office's IT system, Horizon.
Brad Collins, who owns the shop with his wife Nicole, says that the closure was not enforced by the nationwide retailer.
He said: "The decision to close was our decision. We did not come to this lightly but feel we have no choice. We have agonized over the decision for several months and hoped that it wouldn't have to come to this.
"There are many people in the village and surrounding areas that rely on those services and we are actively trying to resolve the issue and hopefully offer services in another manner. We are engaging with our customers to see what we can do to help out.
"Sadly, I don't think Post Office services will ever return to the village unless someone else takes on the business. Without the Post Office we can now pursue the installation of Paypoint or similar services.
"The majority of people understand why we have made this decision and are very supportive despite the impact it will have on them."
Affected customers are being encouraged to visit any of the nearby Post Office stores as an alternative:
Beauly – Bridgend Services (17 miles)
Kiltarlity – Kiltarlity Post Office, Coffee Shop & Village Store (15 miles)
Drumnadrochit – Drumnadrochit Post Office, Village Store & Tea Room (13 miles)
Inverness (27 miles)
Post Office has been contacted for comment.
