Kevin Milkins outside Birons Ironmongers in 2020 with his late wife Dawn, who died last May.
Temporary postmaster Kevin Milkins has spoken of the "stresses and strains" that led him to close the post office branch in Wick town centre this week with immediate effect.
It leaves Wick without a shop-based post office for the second time in just over two years. Provost Jan McEwan insisted a town the size of Wick "most definitely requires a post office" and suggested there are plenty of vacant properties that could be used for the purpose.
A spokesperson at Post Office headquarters said: "We know how important a post office is to the community. We are exploring ways to restore a service to Wick as soon as possible.”
Mr Milkins (66) had intended to pull out at the end of March but decided to bring forward his scheduled retirement from the business, citing "operational difficulties" that are taking their toll on his health.
He opened the post office branch at 125-127 High Street in January 2021, giving the town a shop-based post office service for the first time since October 2020.