Published: Wednesday, 23rd December, 2009 10:51am

Anger at sudden closure of Post Office

by Nicola Findlay

Comments (2) | Print | Email

TILLICOULTRY Post Office closed its doors without warning last Tuesday - causing anger among customers and politicians.

Customers arriving on Tuesday morning found the doors shut and a hand written notice telling them to phone a helpline number or face a journey to Alva, Dollar or Coalsnaughton.

The closure follows difficulties between the sub-postmaster, who also own the property, and the Post Office but it is hoped that another location can be found to enable the Post Office to re-open early in to the New Year.

An angry customer told the Advertiser, "I am 78 and I get my pension from Tillicoultry Post Office. I am not able to get on a bus to go to Dollar, Alva or Coalsnaughton.

"It just closed without any warning and when I phoned the helpline number they couldn't help me. I still have money lying in my account with the Post Office.

"I hope that they can resolve whatever the problem is because there will be a lot of other older people who are like myself."

Another customer said, "It is ridiculous it just closed without any warning. I don't think a place the size of Tillicoultry should be without a Post Office.

"There are some older people who just aren't fit enough to nip to Alloa on the bus, and it is £4 return from Tillicoultry to Alloa."

Councillor John Biggam also told the Advertiser he was dismayed at the sudden closure.

He said, "This isn't the normal way the Post Office go about this as there are procedures to go through.

"The time of year really isn't very good for something like this to happen as their will be pensioners who want to get their pensions before Christmas.

"It would be helpful if there was somewhere opened on a temporary basis, even just for one day a week, but it will be difficult trying to get staff at this time of year."

Gordon Banks MP said, "I am disappointed that a week or so after the initial problems were made known to me that the village is still without Post Office services.

"This is not acceptable for Post Office customers and it is vital that a service outlet is re-established urgently.

"I will continue to express my concerns to Post Office Ltd on this matter and I trust the matter will be resolved swiftly."

Keith Brown MSP was also concerned about the closure.

He said, "I share my constituents' concerns about the unexpected closure - particularly so at this time of the year. My office has been in regular contact with the Royal Mail since I became aware of the situation last week.

"I did suggest that a temporary mobile service be made available but was told that this was not possible. I will continue to press for a speedy resolution."

A Post Office Ltd spokesperson said, "The sub postmaster and the proprietor are the same person. The sub postmaster had her contract terminated after a financial audit.

"Post Office Ltd re-opened the post office with a temporary agent in the current premises to continue to provide a service to our customers, but we are now being refused access to do so.

"Post Office Ltd is working hard to find another partner nearby and we will do so as quickly as possible.

"We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused by these matters which are completely out of our control."