A north-east Fife village faces losing its post office in the next couple of weeks after roadworks hammered the final nail into its coffin.
Strathkinness sub-postmaster Kevin Taylor warned that if trade failed to pick up he would have to shut up shop. He and wife Susan have seen business decline over the last few years and when roadworks closed Main Street last month, takings fell even further, by about 70%.
The road was due to reopen today but Mr Taylor was unsure whether the business, which relies on passing trade and includes the village shop, would recover.
“The roadworks have had a drastic impact on us,” he said. “There were days when we struggled to make £70 a day, which doesn’t even cover our electricity costs. We open between 7am and 1pm and we would have only six or seven customers.”
The post office and shop is frequented by people travelling past Strathkinness on their way into work in St Andrews.
“We rely on passing trade but because of the roadworks people haven’t been able to get to us,” Mr Taylor said. “We are just managing at the moment to stay open but we aren’t going to much longer.
“If it doesn’t pick up we are struggling to stay open even for another couple of weeks and we will have to shut.”
Mr Taylor said business began to suffer a few years ago when the government began paying pensions directly into bank accounts. He and Susan hoped that the transfer of the main post office in St Andrews to WH Smith might give them a boost but since last August the couple have been unable even to draw wages.
A Post Office Ltd spokeswoman said the firm was unaware of the possibility of the branch closing but stressed it would seek to ensure customers had access to the service in the village. “Post Office Ltd is completely committed to providing access to post office services in Strathkinness,” she said.
Strathkinness community councillor Stephen Younger said the village had been a ghost town since the road closure was enforced.
Welcoming the end of the works, he said, “Once again people will be able to drive through the village as they go about their business. Provided that they remember there is a 20mph speed limit, they will be welcomed back, especially by the shop.”