A “LIFELINE” Perth post office branch was closed for a fortnight while it was being audited, The Courier can reveal.
The prolonged closure of the Rannoch Road counter was greeted with dismay by local customers.
The branch, which serves the Letham and Hillyland areas, reopened on Tuesday morning after closing unexpectedly a fortnight ago.
At the time, a notice on the door offered no explanation or timeframe to customers who faced lengthy pre-Christmas journeys into the city centre to carry out their normal business.
The Post Office confirmed yesterday it had been closed for an audit, but would make no more in-depth comment.
A new sub-postmaster was behind the counter yesterday.
Councillor John Flynn said: “I’m glad it’s reopened because it was very worrying.
“We didn’t know what was happening after it just shut suddenly a couple of weeks ago.
“There were people getting into difficulties because they weren’t able to pick up their pensions.
“It was an awful time of year for it to happen.
“It’s a service we don’t want to lose because it serves not only Letham and Hillyland, but the Western Edge as well.
“It’s absolutely vital for a lot of people.”
One pensioner said: “It’s not exaggerating to call it a lifeline.
“It’s been awful coming up to Christmas as well, the busiest time.
“People were expected to trail into the centre of town, Oakbank or Dunkeld Road who wants to trail down there?
“I know a lot of people think everything can be done by computer now but us old folks prefer the old way face to face, with women to talk to.
“It’s good being able to get everything you need a short walk away, not having to trail all the way into town to stand in queues.”
The Post Office said it had been working to get the branch open as quickly as possible after the unexpected closure.
A spokesperson said: “We apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Letham Post Office.”
arichardson@thecourier.co.uk