Brora shop announces post office opening in near future
A Sutherland community is set to have a post office again after a long period without one.
Brora Village Store Community Interest Company (CIC) has announced that a post office will open in its premises soon.
The Post Office no longer allows standalone post offices but instead sites them in retail environments.
The village store, which is located on South Brae, stocks household supplies, gifts, and arts and crafts. As a not-for-profit CIC, any profits generated by the shop go towards supporting the local community.
The directors of the CIC are Vanessa Kelman, Madeleine Bright, Gavin Mackenzie, and Kimberley (Kim) Mackenzie.
Kim, who volunteers at the store full-time, said in a Facebook post: “We’re absolutely delighted to share that we have now passed all our assessments and have received official confirmation - the post office is 100 per cent coming soon! There is still some training to complete, but we will keep you updated every step of the way. We hope to have an opening date to share with you very soon. Thank you for all your continued support - it means the world to us.
Brora formerly had a standalone post office on Rosslyn Street, but the business then moved to Bridgend Premier Store. However, the store closed in November 2017.
A mobile service was then put in place with a post office van calling twice a week. This continued for three years, until a new business, Kelpies Treasure, which formerly occupied the South Brae premises, opened in June 2020 and agreed to host the post office, which opened there in January 2021.
However, in September of that year, the post office closed again after the postmaster resigned.
The post office was then hosted by Steps Emporium hardware store, which is situated opposite Station Square.
However, it has not operated fully out of there since June last year.
Local residents have welcomed the return of the post office.
Selina Jane Mair posted: “A massive achievement to get Brora a post office again; well done Kim.”
Carol Buchanan wrote: “Well done and congratulations to you”, while Sie Ross said: “Fantastic News,” and Molly Macrae posted : “Amazing, vital service for the area. Well done!”
