Opening of post office is delayed further

A 10-year wait for a Moray post office to reopen will continue due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The new branch in Mosstodloch was due to welcome its first customers this week following a temporary closure in 2009.

However, now the Post Office has announced the opening has been delayed as training can’t be carried out in the service station where it will be based.

A spokesman said: “Mosstodloch Post Office was due to re-open to restore a post office service to the area.

“Unable to provide the on-site training”

“We regret to inform the community that this opening has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The unavoidable delay has been caused by Post Office Ltd being currently unable to provide the necessary on-site training support at this branch in line with social distancing requirements set out by the UK Government.

“We sincerely apologise. This is also a big disappointment to the new operator, who was looking forward to serving customers.”

The branch shut in 2009 with the retirement of postmistress Jennifer Reid.

Post Office bosses at the time stressed the closure would be temporary.

Despite the branch being advertised there was nobody willing to take it on until the new operators of the service station took up the opportunity.