West Scotland MSP Paul O’Kane insists there is still hope of Neilston retaining a post office after the shock closure of its branch earlier this year.
Following the resignation of the postmaster, the branch on Main Street shut on January 13 “temporarily” until a new postmaster could be found.
The Post Office’s closing date of February 21 came and went last month, however, without a single application to take on the service.
Keen to help find a way forward, Mr O’Kane met with a public affairs manager from the Post Office last Friday (March 24) to discuss potential solutions.
The Scottish Labour politician told the Barrhead News: “Of course it’s disheartening to know that so far there haven’t been any applications but the very clear postmaster criteria that Post Office gave me has given me ideas to explore.”
Indeed, it was emphasised to Mr O’Kane during the meeting that the new postmaster should ideally be someone with an already viable business who could operate it for at least three or four hours per day.
This does not, however, preclude local community organisations from applying.
“I believe there are a couple of businesses in the area that could take this on and that it would be worth their while to do so and of course community organisations who may be able to support,” he added.
“I will now approach them to see if it’s something that would interest them.
“There’s definitely still hope that the village will get its Post Office back and I will continue to explore every avenue.”
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