THE chief executive of the Post Office has been challenged to officially explain the temporary closure of services in Alloa.

As reported by the Advertiser earlier, the mystery surrounding the closure of the Post Office in Alloa has deepened after it was revealed five other branches run by Eros Retail have closed temporarily.

MSP Keith Brown is now seeking answers and highlighted the inconvenience local residents and businesses find themselves in after the in-branch facilities at the town’s Little Greens.

He pointed out that when banks like the RBS left the town, chiefs insisted financial services can still be accessed through the Post Office.

A notice at Little Greens, run by Eros Retail, explained that an “audit” was taking place recently, with no date being given for reopening.

However, it has transpired that three further post offices have now been shut in Fife with a further two outreach shops closed while post office bosses conduct an investigation.

The four main post offices are housed within Eros Retail run convenience stores under the name of either Greens or Nisa Local.

A spokesman from confirmed that Alloa, Markinch, Leven and Coaltown of Balgonie sites are all shut, with outreach branches in Collingsburgh and Windygates, both Fife, also temporarily closed.

Post Office bosses insist closures are “never taken lightly” and confirmed the services have been unavailable since Wednesday, February 6.

MSP Keith Brown said: “The inconvenience and disruption to local people and businesses being caused by the ongoing closure of Alloa Post Office is unacceptable, as is the deafening silence as to what the issue is and what is being done about it.

"As well as normal Post Office services, many of those I represent who used to bank at local branches of RBS and Santander now find themselves inconvenienced even further.

"These banks justified closures on the basis that services could still be accessed at the Post Office, and for the past two weeks that has not been the case.

"I have written to both banks asking what action is being taken by them to protect banking services given the interruption to services caused by the Post Office closure.

"I have written to the chief executive of the Post Office seeking an explanation for the closure and the disruption it is causing, and information on when services will be restored to the individuals and businesses which rely on them here in Alloa."

The Post Office says it is “working hard to restore services for the community as quickly as possible”, but could not give a date for reopening.

Meanwhile, customers are being advised to visit Sauchie or Tullibody for their mail needs.

A spokesperson said: “We sincerely apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Alloa Post Office.

“We understand and appreciate how much communities rely on our service and would like to reassure customers that the decision to suspend services at any of our branches is never taken lightly.

“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.”

When pressed by the Advertiser, a Post Office spokesperson would not confirm the nature of the temporary closure, adding that they cannot say any more.

They could also not confirm if police were involved at this time.

A spokespersonn for Fife-based Eros Retail Ltd, which owns the Mill Road shop in Alloa, said: "There has been a temporary closure of Alloa Post Office due to procedural reasons.

"We would like to extend our deepest apologies for these circumstances, which have been out-with our control.

"We are working with the Post Office in order to ensure normal operation is resumed for our customers as swiftly as possible.

"We fully understand the importance of Post Office services within the local community and are accordingly treating this as a matter of high priority.”