Local politicians have reacted with dismay to news that a prominent Dundee city centre Post Office branch is to be franchised.
As part of a national agenda, the Post Office on Tuesday announced 37 stores were to be handed over to external service providers.
The Post Office said by “securing partners” to help provide services it is helping “secure its services in communities around the UK for the long term”.
93 sites were previously franchised during the last calendar year.
North East MSP Jenny Marra branded the decision “not acceptable”.
Ms Marra now intends to “urgently” meet with Post Office bosses to voice her concerns.
She said: “I’ve requested an urgent meeting with the Post Office to discuss the situation and implications for customers and staff.
“I’m concerned about the lack of presence of a post office in the city centre and what that means for customers and local businesses and also the history of the Post Office serving the population of Dundee from that location.
“Every time I go into the GPO there are long queues which suggests that there is a pressing need for a post office at the heart of our city centre.
“The risk with a franchise is a reduction in services. This risk with failing to find a franchise partner is closure.
“This is about the post office but it is also about our city centre which has already suffered enough from shop closures.
“It is not acceptable for our city centre to be without a post office and all the services it offers the citizens of Dundee.”
Strathmartine councillor Ian Borthwick also raised concerns the war memorial to postal workers who died in the First and Second World Wars could disappear from public view.
He said he hoped the business remains in its current location if it is successfully franchised.
He added: “It is a very imposing building and it adds a lot to the city centre.
“I feel strongly these post offices should be protected and these jobs should be protected.
“I’d also like assurances about the war memorial – it’s important these pieces of local history are not lost.”
Roger Gale, Sales and Trade Marketing Director of the Post Office, said he believes coverting the impacted stores to franchises will make maintaining the branches more “sustainable”.
He said: “We’re committed to maintaining the Post Office’s special place on the high street and the changes we are making underpin our continued commitment to give communities in every part of the country access to essential services.
“With consumer habits changing, and the high cost of maintaining premises in prime high street locations, franchising helps us to keep services where our customers want and need them.
“We will take time to identify the right partners over the coming months and all proposals will be subject to local consultation.”