A Lanarkshire Post Office branch at the centre of plans for a move to a petrol station will close this week.
Proposals to shift services from the Green Street branch to the Gulf petrol station on Hamilton Road are under consideration.
But a notice was posted by the Post Office stating that the branch, within the Climate Action Strathaven (CAS) premises, will "close temporarily" on Friday, December 2 at 2.30pm due to the resignation of the postmaster.
It adds that management are looking to restore a Post Office service in the area "as soon as possible" and apologise for any inconvenience.
CAS have posted they would like to see the Post Office remain at the centre of the community and the space remains available to the Post Office.
But they added: "This closure is a decision made by Post Office management.
"If the Post Office go ahead with this plan to close on Friday, please remember the CAS staff who will be at the CAS HUB on the following Monday morning have no role or responsibility in the closure."
Locals have reacted with anger to a sudden closure.
One wrote: "Disgusting no thought to customers. Thankfully I can get to Stonehouse one but an inconvenience for people who don't drive as the bus service is hopeless to there."
The public consultation on plans for a local style branch at the Gulf petrol station are due to close on December 13.
But the proposals received criticism from local business leaders who fear the move would negatively impact on customers without transport and the viability and prosperity of Strathaven town centre itself with a reduction in footfall.
Chairman of the town's business association, Les Hoggan, believes proposals to move the service to a petrol station are "totally unsuitable".
He previously told Lanarkshire Live : "In all honesty, it's difficult to see how this could work.
"And that's what I have been hearing from local businesses and residents.
"The Gulf petrol station is out of the town centre, it's not on a public transport route and it's a good 20/25 minute walk from the town centre - and that's only if you are fit and healthy enough to walk it."
Meanwhile, Avondale Councillor Margaret Cooper said: ”I am very disappointed by the closure of Strathaven Post Office.
"As I had made clear beforehand, I have serious concerns about the Post Office service being moved.
"The current branch serves a large community including nearby villages, which include many elderly people, not all of whom drive.
"The move away from the current location will make it very difficult indeed for some of them to access these vitally important services.”
A Post Office spokesperson said: “Strathaven Post Office is currently operated by a temporary Postmaster who has resigned and the branch will be temporarily closed from Friday, December 2 at 2.30pm. Alternative branches are Stonehouse and Low Waters."
To have your say on plans for a move to the Gulf petrol station go to the website or email comments@postoffice.co.uk or call 03452 66 01 15.
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