THREE communities in Galloway are nervously waiting to hear on Tuesday if their Post Office has survived the latest closures designed to cut costs.
In Stranraer, MP Russell Brown and MSP Alex Fergusson joined forces with elected members and residents to support a campaign to save Sheuchan Street Post Office. If the branch is axed the only Post Office in the town will be in the Tesco supe
rmarket.
Meanwhile, in Kirkcowan and Creetown the Post Office plans to save money by turning the present service into an 'outreach service' controlled by a branch in Gatehouse and operating in shops in both villages.
In Kirkcowan, this would mean the Post Office would be moved to another premises, as the present sub-postmistress, Shalla Gray, refused to take a wage cut to continue running the service. Ms Gray has received strong backing from the community, who feel she has been badly treated by her bosses.
Feelings were running high in Creetown as well, as traders were upset at the Post Office being operated by another branch, with a possible reduction in hours and services.
Both communities were incensed by the thought of having to do their private business while standing in the queue for groceries.
Kirkcowan Community Council chair John Paterson said: "We will just have to wait and see what happens on Tuesday. It would not be fair to make predictions."
Janet Howie, of Creetown, said: "To be honest, I get the feeling that the decision was taken before the consultation had even started. The Post Office representatives came to the meeting in Creetown but I get the feeling they didn't even know where they were."
MP Russell Brown added: "I've campaigned hard to urge Post Office Ltd to rethink its plans and I'm eagerly awaiting the verdict. These communities made a strong case and I hope Post Office Ltd has taken full account of their arguments."
