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Published 10 Feb 2010 14:44
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A POST Office in the Borders will be the first in Scotland to be run from a council building when it is opened later this year, it has been announced.
Scottish Borders Council has revealed the Post Office in Newtown St Boswells is to be relocated at its headquarters in the town.
It follows months of uncertainty over its future.
Post Office Ltd announced that the council will be responsible for running the premises but the service will continue to be provided by subpostmistress Lynn Ferguson and her team from nearby Denholm Post Office.
The hosted service will operate from the main reception area in the council headquarters three days a week - on Mondays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., Tuesdays from 1 p.m. till 4 p.m. and Thursdays 10 a.m. till 12 noon.
David Parker, Leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: "I am delighted that we are able to step in for the benefit of people who live and work in Newtown. This will be the first post office in Scotland to run from a council building, and I am sure that it will be a resounding success.
"I welcome the relationship we have built up with Post Office Ltd, as we strived together to find a solution that would ensure that the people of the town continue to have access to an even broader range of post office services. We look forward to welcoming those customers to our headquarters very soon."
Post Office Ltd believes the proposed relocation presents the best solution to allow it to maintain and safeguard Post Office services in the area in the longer term.
Post Office Ltd is now also seeking the views of local customers and stakeholders on this proposal over the next six weeks, with a closing date of March 25.
Sally Buchanan, Network Development Manager for Scotland, said: "Post Office services are extremely important for the community and this outreach service is a vital asset to the local area.
"We are extremely pleased that Scottish Borders Council has helped to re-establish the outreach service and allow us to continue to provide services for customers in the area, after the previous partner operating the service from his shop resigned.
"This is the first time in Scotland that we have established an outreach service within council headquarter premises, which has allowed us to reopen the service quickly. The council's forward thinking decision should be congratulated and by working together we can continue to provide a service in Newtown St Boswells. We hope that our customers continue to use the service to keep it sustainable in the future.
"The operating hours are based on the current customer usage of the post office and this new solution will allow Post office us to provide access to our services."
In order to avoid a full length temporary closure Post Office Ltd expects the move to new premises to take place early March 2010. However, this does not affect the period of consultation which is ongoing until March 25 2010.
Post office Ltd will also review the service in partnership with the council in six months time.
Post Office Ltd are inviting feedback from customers and other local interest groups on any issues, particularly relating to the following aspects, which you would like to be considered.
Anyone with any comments or concerns about the relocation can write to Post Office Ltd, National Consultation Team, PO Box 2060, Watford, WD18 8ZW.
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