Isles SNP MP Angus B MacNeil is urging Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) to rethink the decision to close their shops in Stornoway and Daliburgh – which could lead to the loss of six local jobs.
SSE announced today it is closing 37 SSE shops across Scotland including the associated online shop.
SSE have attributed this move to falling sales and say stores have been loss-
Mr MacNeil asked SSE to hold back from rushing to closure to allow any potential white knight buyer to come forward.
He said the this "valuable chain of stores" could be sold as a going concern.
Alternatively, each store should be assessed on an individual basis before finalising closure plans.
Mr MacNeil said: "SSE say this decision is based on falling sales and a move to online shopping, yet they are also closing the online shop, this just does not make sense.
“Many island customers make use of locally based shops to purchase large items such as those sold in the SSE shops to avoid high delivery costs and have a local point of contact for any issues which might arise.
“For responsible community relations in their area SSE must exhaust all avenues before taking this socially regressive step.”
MacNeil urges SSE to rethink shop closure plans
31 March 2016