Anger as two post offices face the axe
Two post offices in Ayr are set to close.
The branches facing the axe are located within SPAR outlets at Main Road, Whitletts, and Mount Oliphant Crescent, Forehill.
The news has been met with dismay and described as “another blow to the region” and “very concerning.”
South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth has now urged the Post Office to find an alternative home for branches that are among seven in South Scotland facing closure.
SPAR brand owners CJ Lang plan to axe 31 across Scotland.
Mr Smyth declared: “This latest news from CJ Lang and Sons is very concerning. I am now urging the Post Office to find an alternative as a matter of urgency.
“Having a Post Office in the community is vital for so many of my constituents, particularly those who are older, or people who can’t travel easily. Sadly, right across Ayrshire we have seen closure after closure of Post Offices and complete inaction by the UK Government to keep them open.
“These latest closures would be another blow to the region, in particular these communities, and a further cut in the number of Post Offices across Ayrshire.”
A spokesman for CJ Lang said that following a further consultation period with Post Office Limited it has been confirmed that Post Office services within the two SPAR stores will close later this year.
He said: “This decision has been carefully considered and comes after 18 months of negotiations with Post Office Limited.
“It is unfortunate that we find ourselves in the position of having to change the services we offer over the next six months.
“As part of the SPAR Scotland
company-owned stores estate, we will continue to invest in our staff to ensure our stores serve the communities in which they are based. We are constantly reviewing the services within our stores and the impact that Post Office counters have on our overall store operations. Unfortunately, in some instances it is not viable for us to continue to offer the service at our sites.”
A Post Office spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that CJ Lang announced that the Post Office counters they operate on our behalf will close at a number of their stores.
“The decision to close these counters has been taken solely by CJ Lang. Post Offices play an important role in the heart of communities and we have worked closely with CJ Lang for a number of months to help keep open essential Post Office services for their customers.
“At certain locations, there are nearby alternative Post Office branches, but we recognise that for some, particularly older and disabled people, they may not be easily accessible.
“We will look for replacement solutions both on a temporary or permanent basis for those branches that close.”