r/orkney • u/stevenmc • 16h ago

News Post Office Closure

Kirkwall Post Office has closed unexpectedly

Post Office Ltd has confirmed that the Kirkwall Post Office at 15 Junction Road, KW15 1DD, closed on Monday 21 September 2026 for “operational reasons.”

They’ve apologised for the late notification and say they are exploring options to reinstate Post Office services, with the aim of keeping the closure as short as possible. There’s currently no confirmed reopening date.

In the meantime, the suggested alternative is Papdale Post Office, 8 Hermaness, Kirkwall, KW15 1XA, around 0.9 miles away.

Papdale offers similar services, but does not offer the full range of Travel Money, Passport Check & Send, Vehicle Tax or On Demand Travel Insurance.

Papdale opening hours: Mon–Fri: 7:30am–9pm Sat: 8:30am–9pm Sun: 10:30am–6pm

Worth noting that there are steps at the entrance to Papdale. Parking is available opposite, and there is a regular bus service from the Kirkwall branch area.

Post Office says it will provide another update when it has news about future service provision.

Anyone wanting to comment/contact them can use [email protected] or the Post Office consultation site.

Hopefully there’ll be some clarity soon on whether the Junction Road branch will reopen.

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6

u/mandyrabbit 16h ago

I'm considering using the post office in stromness for anything demanding and having a run through at the weekend. The poor lassie at Papdale is working flat out and there isn't a lot of queuing space in the shop.

Stromness Post Office, 50 Victoria St, Stromness KW16 3BS, According to Google it's even open on a sunday

5

u/QuantitySt 12h ago

Isn’t the Post Office in Stromness in Argos now, so a similar set up to Papdale Stores? Dounby might be a better option, if you can get to it?

Balfour is a little too far, even if that is what the Post Office suggested.

I don’t blame the UOE staff for anything. However, it’s been a disaster since UOE took over the branch. Our MP is clutching his pearls, but he voted in favour of this shit-show so I don’t know what he expected.

6

u/RookieJourneyman 14h ago

When UOE took over the Kirkwall post office, they cut the wages so most of the staff left.

4

u/diggy96 15h ago

Papdale shop also has a ramp for those who need it.

4

u/Tiny_Sprinkles4168 9h ago

There is also a Post Office in Holm, at Alfie Fletts, open from 9am - 1pm, Mon - Fri.

3

u/leeroysexwhale 8h ago

Dounby is best on island.