Perth Post Office hit by flooding

Dec 14 2010 by Iain Howie, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PERTH residents looking to send Christmas gifts to their loved ones were left reeling following the temporary closure of the Fair City’s main post office.

The busy South Street branch was closed on Friday after flooding, leaving many with an icy trudge to other branches to send off their mail.

The branch reopened yesterday after its weekend shut-down.

But the situation prompted one Post Office insider to tell the PA the situation had been poorly handled by the company, with no warning given to other branches to expect a significant leap in customer numbers.

The insider, who is based at Post Office premises elsewhere in Perthshire, told the PA: “Yet again the Post Office has done its best to make sure no other branches in the Perth area knew anything about this so they can take up the strain caused by this.

“There was no message circulated that the South Street branch was even closed, so some found their queues were out of the door because of the extra demand.

“It’s busy enough at this time of year without having this. You can appreciate the situation couldn’t be helped, but it’s probably been a customer who’s told them the South Street branch was closed, not the Royal Mail.

“The alternative branches were posted up at the South Street site but, despite that we still weren’t told.

“It beggars belief.”

Our source was further surprised when we told him yesterday that the branch had reopened.

A Post Office Ltd spokeswoman said yesterday: “Perth Post Office closed at 12pm on Friday, December 10, due to flooding from the flats above the office.

“Repair work was carried out over the weekend and the office reopened today. We apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused.”