Shotts MSP meets with Post Office management in campaign to save counter services

Shotts MSP Neil Gray has met with Post Office management to step up his campaign to see branch services retained in Allanton.

The future of the branch is at risk after Spar operators CJ Lang decided to close 31 of its 48 Post Offices in its stores across Scotland, including Allanton.

In June, a statement from CJ Lang & Son said it would continue to invest to ensure its stores served the communities in which they are based.

However, it said it regularly reviewed the impact of the Post Office counters on its overall store operations.

At the time a Post Office spokesman said it was “disappointed” by the decision to close the counters, which it said was solely CJ Lang’s.

Earlier this month, the Airdrie & Shotts MSP led a cross-party group of MSPs and MPs in writing to Post Office and he also raised the issue in Holyrood, gaining support from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

MSP Neil Gray is campaigning to save Allanton PO (Daily Record)

Mr Gray said: “I was really disappointed at the decision to close the Post Office in Allanton as I know what a vital role it plays in the community so I was determined to do what I could to try to save it.

“Following a discussion today with Post Office management, I am going to help them explore any, and all options to retain branch services in the village.

“A Post Office is an anchor for the communities they serve and losing this branch would be a major blow to the people in Allanton and Hartwood.”