Call for plan to cover Post Office services during closure

As previously reported by the Barrhead News, Neilston suffered a blow last week after the temporary closure of the village's Post Office was announced.

Following the resignation of the current postmaster, the Main Street branch will shut its doors from Saturday, January 13.

The nearest alternatives are Barrhead Post Office, in Cross Arthurlie Street, and Auchenback Post Office, in Aurs Drive.

East Renfrewshire MP Kirsten Oswald said the closure had sparked concerns in Neilston.

She added: “There will be a worry in people’s minds about how they are going to fill the gap.

"How are they going to do their banking if they do that in the Post Office?

"How are they going to deal with packages and parcels and so many things that they may rely on the Post Office for?

"People will be thinking about how they’re going to manage that and some people simply won’t be able to manage that.

“It’s going to be the people who are already the most vulnerable and most marginalised who will feel the impact of this most severely – and that’s not okay.”

Ms Oswald also expressed her determination to make sure Post Office bosses are aware of “the strength of feeling and worry in the community.”

She added: “Our Post Office is the source of a lot of different services that people need to access and, if it is not there, people are left in a really difficult situation, particularly those who are older or less mobile.

“Neilston really needs a Post Office. That’s why I was in touch right away with Post Office Limited to say I was concerned.

“If they don’t have a plan to maintain the service, can they put some kind of temporary solution in place?

“They say it’s a temporary closure but they can’t say – and I understand why – how long the closure is for, so that takes me back to asking how the service will be provided in the immediate future.

“We need to have, I think, a firmer plan from them than just putting out some adverts and hoping for the best.”

Labour MSP Paul O’Kane, whose West Scotland remit includes Neilston, has also written to Post Office chiefs to ask for “every option to be explored.”

He said: “I understand this is considered a temporary closure but my concern is for the residents of Neilston who very much depend on having access to that convenient, nearby branch, especially if no alternative postmaster to run a branch can be identified.

“I would urge any interested local business in the first instance to respond to the Post Office.

“The last thing residents – particularly those who are elderly – need is to have to make the journey to Barrhead or Auchenback to access Post Office services.

"I’ve written to the Post Office to seek answers and urge them to ensure that every option and solution is explored.

“Ideally, some kind of temporary cover service could be installed while a permanent postmaster is looked for.”

The temporary closure was confirmed in a letter sent to customers by Scott Hamilton, the Post Office’s network provision lead.

It stated: “The provision of a Post Office service to our customers in the local community is important to us and we will continue to work hard to restore services in the area as soon as possible.

“We would welcome any applications from potential retail partners interested in running a branch locally on our behalf.

“The vacancy is currently being advertised on our website at www.runapostoffice.co.uk and applications will be carefully considered.

“If you are aware of any interested parties, please do share the link with them.

“We apologise for the inconvenience the closure may cause.”