Stirling Observer

Post Office is moving home

Concerns over new Braehead site

- Robert Fairnie

Controvers­ial plans to relocate Post Office services in Braehead to a new location will come into force next week.

The service at Springfiel­d Road will close at 1pm on Thursday September 7 to be replaced by a new ‘local’ service at the Broomridge Mini Market, Wishart Drive, on the same day.

The new service is located more than half a mile from the existing store – and the Observer reported earlier this year that residents had been vocal in their opposition to the plans.

A petition launched to halt the move even attracted more than 100 signatures and there were fears elderly people may not be able to access the services.

It was said that the distance to the new office could be an issue while concerns about parking, space and privacy within the new store were also raised.

Post Office chiefs say the new service offers an improvemen­t on the existing office as the store will be open twice as long as before and have earlier opening times and later closing times.

They also insist that services including special delivery, local collect, home shopping returns and online banking will be available while people will also be able to pay bills, pre-order travel money, apply for travel insurance and top up mobile phones.

Services will be provided at a Post Office serving point inside the store, where the terminal will be set alongside the retail till.

New staff will be trained on all operationa­l and service issues – including customer privacy.

Suzanne Richardson, Post Office regional manager, said: “We are making it easier for customers to get their cash, send and collect their mail and do their banking because we know how important these services are to local residents.

“We are confident that this vibrant new-style Post Office at the heart of the local community will meet customer needs.

“This modernisat­ion is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office, and will secure services for the future.”

•To comment on this story: email john.rowbotham@trinitymir­ror. com, or write to the Observer at 34 Upper Craigs, Stirling, FK82DW.

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