Residents shocked over sudden Tillicoultry Post Office closure

Dec 23 2009

HILLFOOTS families sending Christmas parcels  were shocked by the sudden closure of Tillicoultry Post Office.

The closure on December 15 came about  after discussions between the present owner of the building and Royal Mail ended without agreement.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “The subpostmaster and the proprietor are the same person. The subpostmaster had her contract terminated after a financial audit.

“Post Office Ltd  reopened 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.”

And they added: “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.”

Ochil MSP Keith Brown called for a quick response to the problem.

He said:  “Tillicoultry Post Office provides an important service to the local community and 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 understand that the  Royal Mail have been unable  to reach an agreement with  the owner of the current post  office building and are now  looking at other possible options.

“I did suggest that a temporary mobile service be  made available but was told  that this was not possible.  I  have stressed the need to act  fast in this matter and will continue to press for a  speedy resolution.”