A COLLAPSE in talks to bring a full postal service to Innerleithen has sparked a huge backlash from the local community and politicians. 

As the Border Telegraph revealed earlier this year, a six-week consultation was launched by the Post Office over its plans to restore services to the town, following the resignation of the postmaster at the Daymart newsagents on Thursday, February 9.

While the consultation went on, we also revealed that business-owner Andrew Caldwell had thrown his hat into the ring in order to bring the service back to the town.

Andrew told us he was 'in talks' with the Post Office in order to establish a concession within Caldwell's Ice Cream Shop, on the High Street.

However, following the closure of the six-week consultation on Friday, March 24, a decision was confirmed by the Post Office in a letter on Tuesday, April 11.

The letter, by Post Office Network Operations Manager Kenny Lamont stated: "We received 67 individual responses from customers and local representatives during the consultation period, which opened on Friday, February 17. 

"The majority of feedback commented that the proposed mobile service and opening times may not be adequate to meet the needs of customers using the Post Office in the area. 

"This feedback enabled me to improve my understanding of customers’ concerns and to ensure that all such information was taken into account before finalising our plans for the new service. 

"We do understand that for some customers the new mobile service and the proposed opening times may be less convenient, however, we do consider that the introduction of a mobile service and the proposed opening hours will allow us to restore a Post Office service to these communities for the longer term. 

"We will, however, continue to review and monitor services on an on-going basis, if appropriate and where possible we will look to increase service provisions in the area. Posters will now be displayed locally to let customers know about this decision."

The Mobile Outreach Service, will be operated by the postmaster from Denholm Post Office. 

The Innerleithen mobile Post Office service will be available on Fridays between 9.30am to 1pm at Innerleithen Church, on Leithen Road.

Business-owner Andrew Caldwell expressed his sadness at the move.

He said: "I am angry and disappointed at the attitude of the Post Office who appear not to have been serious from the start."

"I was offering my premises for the sake of the community and a service much better than that now to be provided by the mobile service."

Politicians have also slammed the decision, and called for further negotiations to begin immediately.

Christine Grahame MSP said: "As I understand it, talks between the Post Office and Caldwell’s Ice Cream Shop in Innerleithen began several weeks ago and it looked like the Post Office would have a desk in Mr Caldwell’s premises.

"However, it looks like talks have broken down now – and worst of all, it looks like the Post Office never had any intention of these negotiations succeeding.

"I am calling for an urgent meeting with Post Office management with a view to finding a solution that restores a full range of postal services to Innerleithen. The community needs and deserves no less."

The announcement has also angered Tweeddale MP David Mundell.

Mr Mundell said: "When the Post Office was initially closed, I had made my feelings clear to them that a more suitable solution than a mobile van coming once a week had to be found.

"I would have thought that they would have wanted to work together with Andrew Caldwell in order to serve the communities of Innerleithen and the surrounding area, but it appears they have had the wrong attitude from the start of negotiations.

"Caldwell's is a long established business which the people of Innerleithen know and trust which is what people are wanting from their Post Office.

"Rural residents are still very much reliant on having a Post Office service on their doorstep that meets their needs and a mobile van just won't be good enough for Innerleithen.

"It is very disappointing that a deal broke down and I will be continuing to press the Post Office to provide clarity to Innerleithen residents over what their future plans are."