Calls have been made for an alternative home for the Closeburn Post Office after it was announced it will be closing “temporarily” next month.
Local politicians have urged the Post Office to find a way to provide a service to locals while the company said it is “investigating the options available” to them.
The firm’s network provision lead Steven Simpson said the postmaster in Closeburn has resigned and the branch, situated in the village shop, will close on Thursday April 7 at noon.
He added: “Future provision will reflect customer numbers and usage and we may take the opportunity to establish an alternative type of service.
“This may be an outreach service where a postmaster from a nearby branch offers the facility with hours of opening set to reflect the likely number of customers who will use the service.”
This news follows the recent closure of the Post Office in Thornhill which has been replaced by a part-time service in the library.
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said: “This latest news of yet another possible Post Office closure is very concerning and I’m urging them to find an alternative as a matter of urgency.
“Having a Post Office in the community is vital for so many of my constituents, particularly those who are older or people who can’t travel easily.
“Sadly, right across Dumfries and Galloway we have seen closure after closure of Post Offices and complete inaction by the UK Government to keep them open.
“This latest closure would be a huge blow to the region and a further cut in the number of Post Offices across Dumfries and Galloway.”
Meanwhile Dumfriesshire MSP and MP Oliver and David Mundell have both pledged to press for action to identify new premises.
Oliver Mundell said: “The fragility of the rural Post Office network in Dumfriesshire has been highlighted over the past six months and while I welcome the steps taken to find alternative premises in many cases, it’s clear that this disruption is unsettling for many.
“I will be making representations to the Post Office in the hopes that a resolution can be found that preserves a local branch in the village.”
David Mundell added: “While local people will be able to make use of the outreach Post Office in Thornhill and the mobile service in Auldgirth, it’s obvious that neither of these are anywhere as convenient as having access to a branch in Closeburn itself and will be inconvenient for anyone who does not have easy access to a car.
“Along with Oliver, I will be doing everything I can to press for an alternative location.”
