MP calls for rethink on‘disastrous’po decison
Stirling’s MP has written to Post Office and council chiefs over the decision to close Bridge of Allan’s post office.
Alyn Smith has spoken out over the move, which saw the site closed its doors for the final time earlier this month - despite strong local opposition.
That opposition included a petition organised by Mr Smith and SNP colleague, Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP Keith Brown, which gathered more than 700 signatures with all but a couple stating their support for retaining post office services in Bridge of Allan.
The closure was announced after supermarket giant Morrisons acquired the Mccoll’s brand - with whom the post office in the town shares an outlet - and embarked on a round of restructuring which would lead to the closure of 132 stores.
Mr Smith has reached out to the Post Office, Stirling Council and the nearby Co-op supermarket as part of efforts to find a solution, but so far nothing has come to light.
In his letter to the Post Office, he writes that the area has been left“betrayed”by news of the closure and asks the organisation to reconsider its“disastrous” decision.
Meanwhile, in another letter addressed to Stirling Council leader Chris Kane, Mr Smith asks what action is being taken by the local authority to ensure the protection of the services it provided locally and whether the council would welcome social enterprise bids for the existing site.
The MP said:“i’m extremely disappointed to see the closure go ahead, despite the community’s best efforts to help the Post Office see sense.
“An overwhelming number of respondents say they use services frequently, and the loss of the Bridge of Allan Post Office is the latest in a long line of service losses which only serve to erode fair and equal access to important amenities and facilities.
“I remain in close contact with key stakeholders, and of course have relayed the strength of local feeling to the corporate management team at the Post Office.
“I thank everyone who took the time to sign the petition, and will continue to work constructively with any group interested in restoring local postal services as soon as possible.”