Post Offices will close

Perthshire politicians have reacted with dismay at the announcement the SPAR Scotland retail chain has chosen to close Post Office counters based within two of its stores in Perthshire.

John Swinney, the SNP MSP for Perthshire North, said the decision to close counters located at stores in Luncarty and Stanley was“deeply disapointing”.

He added he would be seeking to arrange talks with SPAR wholesalers CJ Lang to urge them to reconsider their decision to shut the counter in Luncarty which he said could prove“particularly problematic”for locals.

Murdo Fraser, the Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said the planned closures seemed“very shortsighted”to him and he would be contacting the Post Office to ask whether postal services could be offered at other locations in both villages.

A spokesman for CJ Lang said the decision to close counters in Perthshire was“carefully considered”and came after 18 months of negotiations with the Post Office.

The Luncarty Post Office counter is expected to close on August 5 and the Stanley counter will shut on September 28.

Mr Swinney said:“This will be felt acutely by the affected local communities and the closure of the Luncarty Post Office will prove particularly problematic, with no obvious alternative location within the village.

“I will now look to meet with CJ Lang to better understand the thought process behind this move and to advocate for the continuation of these vital local services.”

Murdo Fraser MSP said the decision seemed“very short-sighted”and one that will“have a huge impact on the local communities”.