Seven weeks to go for Co-op

Jobs worry for staff - and post office lost

The Co-op in Blairgowrie’s Wellmeadow will close its doors for the final time on Saturday, August 4, with 19 members of staff running the risk of losing their jobs.

The closure in seven weeks’ time also means that the largest town in Perth and Kinross will no longer have a post office as the branch is currently located in the Co-op store.

The Co-op first announced its intention to resign as operators of the busy post office last year.

And controversial proposals to re-locate the service to a newsagents’ on Perth Street fell through earlier this year during a consultation period.

The closure date came to light at the end of last week and has been greeted with dismay by local politicians.

Conservative councillor for the Blairgowrie and Glens ward, Caroline Shiers, said: “I am very concerned to hear that a date has now been given for the Wellmeadow Co-op to close.

“This is a very worrying time for the staff who currently work there and also for the town due to the post office being located in the building.

“I will be contacting the post office to ask them to confirm their plans for maintaining service for customers in the Blairgowrie and Rattray area and would expect them to have a contingency in place to provide service even if that is in a temporary facility.

“It would be absolutely unacceptable for them to leave the town with no post office facility for any length of time.

“The summer months are always busier with many workers here for the summer fruit picking season.”

SNP ward councillor, Tom McEwan, has previously said that not having a post office will have a major impact on Blairgowrie, Rattray and the surrounding area, describing the services it provides as essential.

A spokesperson for the Co-op said: “We can confirm that our store at Wellmeadow Garage in Blairgowrie will close on August 4.

“The decision to close the store has been made as part of our ongoing store review process and is in no way a reflection on the hard work and commitment from the 19 colleagues working at the store.

“We would like to thank our shoppers for their valued custom over the years.

“Regrettably, staff at the store are at risk of redundancy. Every effort is being made to help them find alternative employment either at other local Co-op stores or elsewhere.”

A post office spokesperson added: “We can confirm that the Co-operative Food Group have given us notice they are leaving their premises on August 4.

“We understand how important post office services are to communities such as Blairgowrie and customers should be assured that the Post Office is committed to maintaining a post office service in the area and are working hard to ensure this.”