Air of resignation as post office axe meeting fails to bring in numbers

Published on Wednesday 24 September 2008 10:07

JUST 30 people turned up to two meetings held in the city last night to discuss the future of two under-threat post offices.

The meetings were called as part of a consultation process to discuss the future of the branches on Gorgie Road and Shandon Place, both of which are facing the axe.

But despite assurances from Post Office bosses that the closures are not a done deal, the two meetings attracted a poor turnout.

Thirteen members of the public turned up for the meeting at Craiglockhart Primary School to examine proposals for the Shandon office.

One resident said: "You would have filled this room several times over if people did not think this closure was going to go through anyway."

And at the Gorgie meeting, attended by 17 people in Chesser House, one man insisted that the matter was entirely "out of the hands" of those attempting to persuade bosses they were making the wrong decision.

He added: "We have come here out of solidarity to our local postmaster.

"I wish no disrespect, but you are only going through this process of public meetings to prove to your masters and the Postwatch ombudsman that you have done it right."

But postal bosses in attendance denied the closures were already decided, arguing that the consultation process was designed to gauge the views of residents. In both areas facing closures, bosses have identified alternative post offices within a mile of the original, stressing the public must advise them of reasons why they may not be suitable alternatives.

Gary Herbert, Post Office network development manager, said: "This is not a done deal. We are being up-front with the public about this and there are probably very few companies that would do that.

"If there are significant reasons as to why the alternative post offices are not suitable then the public has to tell us.

"If there are no significant reasons then, I will be honest, the branches probably will close."

Residents at the Shandon meeting argued the removal of the post office could affect neighbouring shops.

The issue of how the closures would affect elderly residents and the self-employed was also raised.

At the Gorgie meeting, householders from sheltered accommodation made up the majority of those in attendance, arguing the removal of the service would make it harder for them to collect pensions without inconvenient bus journeys to the post office at the nearby Asda – their nearest alternative.

Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart councillors Gordon Buchan and Andrew Burns were in attendance and will be making submissions to the Post Office, arguing for the retention of the services before the consultation period deadline on Monday.

Decisions regarding the future of the post offices will be announced by the end of October.