A move to close a Perth post office has been described as a “tragedy”.
The post office counter in Letham closes on Friday, leaving users facing a trip into the city centre for services.
The Post Office claims it is looking at options available to try to reinstate a post office service for the people of Letham and state the closure is “temporary.” However, many residents feel the move will be the death knell for the site.
Ian Carmichael, 60, postmaster at Letham post office, said: “Unfortunately, the post office will close on Friday for the last time. It is very bad news for Letham, and will leave one of Perth’s largest residential areas without a post office.
“Post Office Ltd has said there are no other suitable premises locally. It is very sad and I feel very sorry for our older and more vulnerable customers in particular.
“However, there’s not really much that can be done at such a late stage.”
John Balchin, 79, who regularly uses Letham post office, said: “This post office is very busy all the time and the old people in the area, of which there are very many, get their pensions and their disability allowances there, pay their council tax if they haven’t got a bank account and also take their parcels and letters to post.”
He continued: “In short, it is essential for the area. The main post office in Perth’s South Street closed a long time ago and there is now just a small counter at WH Smiths in the High Street.
“Most of the elderly people don’t drive and find it difficult enough to get to the local post office.”
City South councillor, Willie Wilson said: “The decision to close Letham post office is a tragedy. Many people rely on this service and it seems incredible that the Post Office are allowing it to close – even temporarily.”
A Post Office spokesperson commented: “The post office in Letham will temporarily close on Friday.
“We know how important post office services are to people in Letham and we apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused. Any customers wishing to access postal services may do so from any convenient post office branch, including those at Oakbank , Craigie and at Muirton.
“We would like to assure customers that we’re currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a post office service to the local community.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative politicians have raised concerns about post office provision in Blairgowrie. A public consultation on a planned move to Pricekracker on Perth Street has finished but the shop’s owner has announced he has pulled out of the deal.
The post office will continue to trade from its current location in Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie.
Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: “The post office is the cornerstone of many rural communities and Blairgowrie is no different.”
And local Councillor Caroline Shiers added: “It’s important that we secure a long-term location for the post office as having convenient access to a High Street branch is vital for residents in the area.”
