Also in the news / Junior doctors call off strike, housing repair scam, pilot boat cost revealed and more…
JUNIOR DOCTORS and doctors in training in Shetland have called off industrial action.
They planned to go on strike next week from 12 to 15 July.
The Scottish Government offered a 12.4 per cent pay increase and the British Medical Association has now agreed to it.
Strike action has been suspended as a result of the new offer.
A NEW coffee shop and training centre has opened on Commercial Street today (Friday).
Celia Smith’s business, Blyde Welcome, is now offering a one stop shop for hospitality training, as well as tea, coffee and home bakes on Da Street.
Smith provides a variety of training courses, including safe sale of alcohol, food hygiene and barista latte art.
She said on social media earlier today: “It may be a dreich day here in Lerwick but that’s not stopping the celebrations as our new Blyde Welcome shop is open!”
THE COUNCIL has issued a warning about a new housing repair scam.
A council house tenant made the SIC aware of the phone call scam earlier this week.
The call came from a Manchester number, but Trading Standards have warned that it is possible for scammers to alter the appearance of their number, making it look like a genuine local one.
Concerned tenants can contact housing repairs by emailing housingrepairs@shetland.gov.uk or phoning 01595 744399.
Additionally, Trading Standards can be contacted by emailing trading.standards@shetland.gov.uk or phoning 01595 744887.
Trading Standards can install free call blockers for anyone affected by scam callers.
IT COST Shetland Islands Council £600 to draft in the Lerwick Port Authority pilot boat Knab when the Bressay ferry broke down last month.
The figure comes from a freedom of information request.
The Knab was called in to take foot passengers to and from Bressay on Saturday 17 June after the ferry Fivla broke down.
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Pilot boat takes on duty of providing ferry service across Bressay Sound
It also cost the SIC £600 when the Knab was used on the Bressay ferry route in similar circumstances on 23 April.
THE SWAN suffered engine trouble at the start of the Tall Ships Races earlier this week.
It had to return to the start port of Den Helder.
The intention is to repair the engine before resuming the race once sea conditions have improved.
In a Facebook post the Swan Trust said: “Huge shout out to our ever tenacious trainees from Hartlepool who remained in high spirits during this challenging situation. We are very glad to have sailed with them so far.”
The trust also thanked the local lifeboat which came to meet the Swan as a precaution on its return to Den Holder.
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