We had to visit family to get a hot meal as our debts mounted
Dad tells Post Office inquiry he ploughed £85k into business
A Renfrew man who once ran one of Scotland’s busiest post offices has said he couldn’t afford to feed himself because he was left so skint by the organisation’s rogue computer system.
Edward Brown said he had to plough more than £85,000 of his own money in to cover shortfalls caused by computer glitches.
He said he also had to borrow money against his home and get loans to balance the books.
He gave evidence at the inquiry into the Post Office’s failed Horizon accounting system via video link.
Along with his wife, Catriona, Edward ran a newsagents with a post office in Paisley Road West, Cardonald.
He said: “We were actually the busiest post office in Scotland at one point, we had six tellers.
“My accountant has worked out it’s £85,000-plus that I’ve written off over those years.
“I got into debt. At one point, I took money against my house.
“There were a couple of loans on the go as well.
“Because of our financial difficulties, we could not have family holidays and trips as we wanted to.
“Our children were primary school age and before we bought anything for them there was always a concern about whether we could afford it and where the money was coming from.
“We had to use credit cards to pay household bills, regularly, and we built up debts for our living costs.
“We had so little money that my wife and I had to visit relatives in order to get a hot meal.
“Post Office’s actions caused great strain on my marriage.
“It was very stressful and it is only looking back that I realise how stressful it was.”
The 53-year-old started the business in 1989 but took a leaver’s payment in 2015 and continued to run his newsagents.
He said: “Now I know the Post Office knew about the system problems, it doesn’t seem fair.
“Hopefully the inquiry will go someway to act as closure for the pain, injustice and unfairness myself and other sub-postmasters were inflicted with.
“No financial compensation can replace the lost time with a young family and time with friends.”
The inquiry continues.
Our children were primary school age and before we bought anything for them there was always a concern