Tuesday February 3rd 2026
Former St Abbs Post Office
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Retired village postmasters have been given the go-ahead for their former workplace to become their home.
St Abbs Post Office closed on November 1 last year, resulting in the withdrawal of the premises for Post Office use.
The closure was due to the retirement of postmasters Carol and William Isherwood after 32 years service to the community.
Now Scottish Borders Council has granted change of use approval for the end of terrace property to be incorporated into the couple’s adjoining home on the village’s Murrayfield.
The closure had raised concerns about the loss of services, especially access to cash for the local community.
In his report approving the application, Paul Duncan, SBC planning officer, accepts that the loss of the Post Office was “regrettable” but says that given the particular circumstances involved the application could be accepted.
He states: “Given the shop in practical terms forms part of the applicant’s existing house, any sale or lease of the shop to third parties would be likely to be harmful to the amenity of their dwelling house. It is appreciated that this is unlikely to be desirable for the applicants.
“Such arrangements may also not be attractive to any prospective operators of the unit.
“Whilst the permanent loss of the unit is regrettable, the village retains its existing cafe at the harbour.
“There have been no objections to these proposals and the Community Council has not responded to the consultation request.
“There appears to have been an acceptance that the shop was likely to continue after the applicants retirement.
“In the particular circumstances involved, it is considered that the conflict with policy may be conceded.”
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