Highland Council leader questions hydro shop closures
THE leader of Highland Council has called for more information from SSE on the proposed closure of eight hydro shops.
SSE announced last week that it plans to close its 37 remaining Scottish Hydro Electric shops in Scotland, including eight in the Highlands.
The company has launched a consultation with the 119 staff affected by the planned closures which are due to take place by May 15.
The shops in Highland are in Ullapool, Dingwall, Kyle, Thurso, Wick, Portree, Nairn and Grantown.
Leader of 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."
In Ross-shire, six jobs will be lost in Dingwall, two in Kyle and one in Ullapool.
Councillor Margaret Paterson, leader of the Ross and Cromarty area committee, added: "I am really saddened to hear about these plans. 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 the local shops which have served their local communities so well."
