Post Office bosses have apologised to customers after the sudden closure of another Perthshire branch.
The service at Scone was shut without warning after complaints from customers.
The Courier understands the Perth Road counter has been temporarily closed to allow for more staff training. Post Office bosses can’t say when it will reopen.
The shop was taken over by new management last year, following the retirement of previous long-standing operators Lewis and Linda Simpson.
But according to customers, there has been a steady stream of complaints in recent weeks about slow deliveries and customer service.
A hand-written sign placed at the front door warns shoppers: “Post Office is closed until further notice. Sorry.”
A Post Office spokeswoman added: “We sincerely apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Scone Post Office.
“We understand and appreciate how much communities rely on our services. We would like to reassure customers that the decision to suspend services at any of our branches is never taken lightly.”
She added: “We take very seriously any decision to temporarily close a branch, and will only do so when it is warranted.
“We are working hard to restore services for the community as quickly as possible.”
No one at the shop was available to talk about the situation.
One 90-year-old villager, who asked not to be named, said: “I had no idea it was closed. I came out for my pension in the morning and have been told I’m going to have to travel into Perth instead.
“This isn’t acceptable.”
The Scone closure comes at a turbulent time for local post office services.
The branch at Letham was shut at the end of last month after the retirement of postmaster Ian Carmichael.
And there are continued concerns about the Craigie service, which temporarily closed for the second time in 12 months.
Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to establish a new service 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 in the meantime continue to trade from its current location in Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie.
