Post Office bosses are being urged to ‘step up’ and address the lack of a full time service in the Whitletts area of Ayr.
The call comes from South Scotland Labour List MSP, Colin Smyth, who reckons more needs to be done from the organisation in order to tackle the lack of proper facilities.
Mr Smyth’s call comes after Ayrshire Live exclusively revealed on Friday that the new full-time service, to be operated out of Libby’s Convenience Store, won’t go ahead as planned.
It had been confirmed previously that the new Post Office would be based out of Libby’s Convenience Store, in Main Road, and it would open on Friday, January 13.
However, we told how the operators decided “not to progress their application” to take on the branch.
It’s now resulted in a frantic search to try to find another operator locally who is willing to resume full-time Post Office services.
Mr Smyth said: “I was really disappointed to hear that Libby’s has decided not to progress their application to run the Whitletts Post Office.
“It is yet another blow to the local community who are back to square one looking for somewhere to house their branch.
“However, it is clear that Post Office has some serious work to do to make it easier and more attractive for businesses to take over the running of vacant branches.
“In the past year we’ve seen far too many Post Office closures, reduced hours and temporary services affecting communities across the region and it’s not good enough.
“People need Post Offices in their local communities but more and more we’re seeing them disappearing.
“I will be encouraging the company to do all they can to find an alternative for Whitletts.”
The previous Post Office branch, at the Spar store at 74 Main Road, Ayr, closed in September 2021.
The office fell victim to Spar’s decision to axe more than 30 Post Office counters, which it said were not “financially viable.”
Forehill Post Office also closed as part of the cuts.
That closure prompted a campaign by community figures, councillors and MSPs to retain services.
A Post Office spokesperson said: “We regret to confirm that Whitletts Post Office is not opening this month. We worked closely with the prospective new operator however unfortunately we were not able to proceed with the opening of this branch.
“We fully appreciate the frustration local residents and businesses will have.
“We advise our customers to visit Hawkhill Post Office which is the closest alternative branch and open six days a week, or Ayr Post Office which is open Monday to Saturday between 9am and 5.30pm and on Sunday between 11am and 3pm. It is around a 20-minute bus journey away.”
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