Post Office bosses are scrambling to rescue a historic highland Perthshire service after its manager decided to shut up shop without warning.
The outlet at Dunkeld, which has been part of the tourist trap town since the 19th century, will close down on Saturday April 29, as postmaster Khalid Khurshid, 38, is resigning.
However, his bosses at the Post Office only found out the shop was closing when they were contacted by The Courier about homemade signs posted at the Bridge Street establishment.
The company has apologised to customers and assured that it is committed to restoring service to the town as quickly as possible.
A spokesman said: “Following the recent resignation of the postmaster and the sudden withdrawal of premises at short notice for post office use, Dunkeld Post Office will temporarily close at 1pm on Saturday.
“We know how important post office services are to people in Dunkeld and we apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused. Any customers wishing to access services can do so from any convenient branch, including Birnam Post Office.”
He added: “We would like to assure customers that we are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a post office service to the local community.
“In exploring this, it is important that any future service is sustainable for the person operating this service, and for Post Office.”
Local MP Pete Wishart, who used to live in Dunkeld, has called for the service to be saved.
He said it was “shocking” that the closure was not formally announced, days before the shop was due to close.
“The post office is an imperative aspect of the Dunkeld community, particularly for elderly residents of the area who would have a great difficulty reaching a post office further afield such as Birnam,” he said.
“The fact that the closure, which is due to take place on Saturday April 29, wasn’t announced by Royal Mail is the most shocking part of the entire saga.
“One of the community’s most well utilised businesses is due to close its doors in a matter of days without even so much as a warning for the local residents.”
He said: “The closure of the post office would be a huge blow to an area like Dunkeld and I fully intend to launch a campaign against the move at next month’s community council meeting.”
Mr Khurshid could not be reached for comment. A staff member confirmed that the shop was preparing to close.
