The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Concerns as village to lose its post office
The Luncarty post office will permanently close its doors next month. The closure of the branch – in the Spar shop on Marshall Way – will mean locals will have to travel to Stanley or Perth to access Post Office services.
The Post Office says the closure is due to the operator’s resignation.
Locals say staff were “mystified” by the move, due to take effect on February 13.
Luncarty resident Laurie Patton believes the closure will have a negative impact on locals, especially elderly people.
The 77-year-old said: “I have lived in the village most of my life and we have always had a post office here.
“Now the nearest post office will be in Stanley which is two miles north of here – not handy for old people collecting pension money.
“The shop service for also had a villagers collecting medical prescriptions but that was stopped too.”
Perthshire North MSP John Swinney said: “Residents of Luncarty, many of whom are elderly and do not drive, will now be faced with a five-mile round trip to their nearest post office.
“This is clearly not a sustainable solution, particularly in the midst of a pandemic.”
SNP MP for Ochil and South Perthshire John Nicolson said: “Post offices
in Perth and Kinross don’t just provide much-needed postal services. They deliver pensions, benefits, and tax credit services too.
“I have written to the Post Office management to stress my opposition to the closure and to appeal for reopening and restoration of vital services as soon as possible.”
A Post
Office
spokesperson said: “The operator for Luncarty has resigned, which will take effect on Saturday February 13 at 12 noon.
“The store where the Post Office is based is remaining open.
“We are currently investigating the options available to reinstate a post office service to the local community.”