A Lanarkshire Post Office has announced its closure with a number of local workers facing redundancy
In the latest blow to the town centre, it was announced that the Cadzow Street Post Office in Hamilton is set to shut in January 2023.
The service is situated within the McColl's store, which was recently announced as one of 132 shops to close after Morrison's took over the chain.
Closures of those stores containing a Post Office were to be delayed until next year, with the Hamilton shop now learning its fate.
Retail operations within the store has been deemed as "unprofitable" and will now shut within the next two months.
A Post Office source told Lanarkshire Live : “We regret to confirm that Morrisons have taken the difficult decision to close some McColl’s stores that hosted Post Offices, due to the unprofitability of the retail in that store, not helped by the difficult high street conditions facing retailers.
“Morrisons have confirmed that they will keep Hamilton Post Office on Cadzow Street open throughout the Christmas period and that it will close in the New Year.
“There are several nearby alternative Post Offices that customers can use in the New Year. Almada Street Post Office is a short, bus ride away; Burnbank Post Office in the shopping centre; and Fairhill Post Office is located a bit further away by bus.”
Local politicians have this week shared their disappointment at the news, contacting the Post Office in a bid to find a solution.
Hamilton Councillor Gavin Keatt told us: "This is a further below to our town centre, depriving local residents of a much-needed, quality service. I often use the service myself and will feel the loss of this asset personally.
"I understand that staff are likely to be offered redundancy, leaving many individuals and families in an extremely precarious position during the worst cost of living crisis in 50 years.
"I would encourage those involved in the closure to halt their plans and get round the table with local representatives and members of the community to find an alternative solution."
Lanarkshire MSP Monica Lennon also shared her concern, calling proposals a "devastating blow for Hamilton" that "must be stopped in their tracks".
On Monday morning, Hamilton MP Angela Crawley and MSP Christina McKelvie met with Post Office bosses to discuss the future of the local branch.
They also only recently met staff from the store earlier this month at a cost-of-living support event at the Town House.
Ms Crawley told us : "While this is disappointing, it is encouraging that they are keen to maintain a presence in Hamilton town centre.
"Alternatives are currently being explored, so we are hopeful this will end in a positive result. The Post Office is an important business in the town centre as it creates footfall for other businesses."
Support to find a solution to the closure of the Hamilton Post Office is also being given by the local business group Hamilton Our Town.
Their manager Malcolm Thomas-Harley added: ‘This loss is damaging for our community and town centre.
"We believe there are opportunities to relocate this vital service within the area and as a result have reached out to the Post Office direct regarding this.
"We stand ready to support any effort to reinstate this service".
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