Council Leader calls for more information on proposed SSE shop closures

Following an announcement last week that SSE plans to close its 37 remaining Scottish Hydro Electric shops in Scotland, including 8 in the Highlands, the Leader of The Highland Council is seeking more information on the proposals.

The company has launched a consultation with the 119 staff affected by the planned closures which are due to take place by the 15th of May.

The seven retail shops in Highland are in Thurso, Wick, Ullapool, Dingwall, Portree, Nairn and Grantown On Spey.

Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Margaret Davidson said: “This announcement came out of the blue and we need a clearer understanding why SSE are making these decisions to close local shops as it will effect local jobs in our communities.”

Councillor Margaret Paterson, Leader of the Ross and Cromarty Area Committee, added: “I am really saddened to hear about these plans, especially as two of the shops are in Ross-shire. Dingwall is a thriving market town with people travelling from a wide catchment area to shop on the High Street and with the Ullapool shop due to close too, people are going to have to face a considerable round trip to buy white goods. Our communities can’t afford to lose jobs so I really urge SSE to rethink closing all seven local shops which have served their local communities so well.”

5 Apr 2016