Calls have been made for temporary mobile postal services in Broughty Ferry to be introduced while the area’s only Post Office is shut for renovations.
The Gray Street shop will be spruced up in an 18 day makeover from February 22 to March 11.
However, a devastating fire in the nearby Barnhill counter in Campfield Square last October means it is the only post office operating in the Ferry.
The temporary closure is the latest in the Ferry’s postal woes with locals having had to deal with significant disruption to services for almost two years.
This dates back to January 2017 when the original Gray Street Post Office shut alongside the Nisa store it was in before reopening four months later.
Although welcoming the makeover, the two-week loss of services in the area has been branded “unacceptable” by Ferry councillor Craig Duncan.
He said: “I have asked the company to provide temporary post office services facility such as a mobile van during this potential hiatus.
“I’m not sure they have really thought it all through. To leave locals without a post office for that time is unacceptable.
“When the Gray Street post office was closed previously, I suggested a temporary measure but they were not keen at that time because the shop at Campfield Square was open.
“That one is obviously closed now and I understand it’s a long way off reopening.
“I would hope that means they will seriously consider temporary measures this time as there will be zero coverage.”
It is understood that because of the short closure period the Post Office would not usually introduce temporary services.
Mr Duncan added: “The closure is planned for a couple of weeks but there is always the danger that the renovation takes a little longer than expected.
“With the best will in the world, what if it hits snags and ends up closed for a month? There needs to be a kind of stop-gap or a safety net.
“I imagine an organisation the size of the Post Office has encountered this situation before so there should be a solution.
“Not everyone has a car they can jump in to get along to a post office in Dundee or Monifieth.”
A Post Office spokesperson said: “Barnhill Post Office (Campfield Square) is currently temporarily closed.
“The branch is run independently and while we always work hard to maintain Post Office services, from time to time, branches do temporarily close.
“When this happens, we always look to restore services as quickly as possible, as we know how important Post Offices are to communities.
“Any retailer or small business owner interested in running the Post Office and incorporating it into their business should email NTquestions@postoffice.co.uk or visit www.runapostoffice.co.uk”
