Protests as 14 Post Offices face closure

Jun 6 2008 by Jenny Wood

SHOCKWAVES were sent through Perth and Kinross earlier this week when it was revealed 14 communities are set to suffer in the Post Office’s shake up.

But in a sweetener to thesubpostmasters set to shut up shop, the Post Office is to give each one 28 months salary as a golden goodbye compensation package.

In a bitter blow to the Big County, 14 branches have been earmarked for the axe; 10 communities will receive some sort of support service in place of their post office, but four face out-and-out closure.

Thousands of customers have been left reeling by the erosion of their local services and face a race against time to try to save their post office.

Within hours of the announcement of which branches were up for the chop, those affected flocked to raise their concerns with local leaders.

Pete Wishart, Perth and North Perthshire MP, explained: “I’ve already been approached by several constituents regarding their concerns about the impact on Post Office provision in the Fair City.

“I have therefore written to the Post Office to request that they come to Perth to a public meeting to explain why three Post Offices are being lost from the city.”

The communities which look likely to have reached the end of the road in terms of boasting a post office are Perth’s Bridgend, Cherrybank and Garth Avenue areas – the closures putting even more pressure on the already busy city centre branch on South Street.

And further afield in the Big County, Kinrossie’s branch is also to set shut with no replacement service.

The Post Office also confirmed branches in Abernethy, Crook of Devon, Glenfarg, Kinnesswood, Muckhart, Muthill, Blackford, Braco, Balbeggie and Glencarse will shut, but there are plans to provide alternative services such as a mobile post office or counter services set up elsewhere, such as village shops.

Sally Buchanan, Post Office’s development manager for Scotland, said: “Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers.”

She added: “We believe these proposals offer the best prospect for a sustainable way forward for Post Office services in the North East, Tayside and Fife.”

There will now be a six-week consultation period, with the floor thrown open until July 8, to give the communities affected the chance to have their say about the proposals.

And Perthshire man Murdo Fraser, Tory MSP for Mid-Scotland & Fife, has urged local residents to make their voices heard.

He said: “The Post Office must listen to the views and concerns of locals and ensure that services are put before profit margins.

“Our local post office branches have an important social value and many communities in Perthshire depend on them.”

Customers can comment or find out further information on Post Office Ltd’s proposals at www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange

Alternatively, telephone 08457 22 33 44, emailconsultation@postoffice.co.uk or write to Sally Buchanan, Network Development Manager, c/o National Consultation Team, Freepost Consultation Team.