The directly-managed network lost �71m last year

Branches in Bathgate, Coatbridge, Dumfries, Dunfermline and Perth will shut along with the Hope Street office in Glasgow.

Post Office Ltd plans to franchise services and relocate them in shops run by the Spar chain, in some cases just yards away.

The company said the existing network of directly-managed branches operated at a loss.

The network was �71m in the red last year, making it unsustainable in the long-term.

Staff in all the offices, who are currently directly employed by Post Office Ltd, will be offered alternative positions or voluntary redundancy.

As part of the announcement, Post Office Ltd has begun a seven-week consultation period, allowing people in each community to state their views on the proposals.

We know that some of our directly managed branches will be more successful if run as part of a mixed retail business Andy Bayfield Post Office Ltd

There would be no loss of service as a result of the changes, which would also mean longer opening hours, it said.

In Bathgate, the office will move 150 yards to 76 North Bridge Street. In Coatbridge, it will remain in its current location at 132 Main Street but transfer to a new franchise arrangement with CJ Lang, the firm which owns the Spar chain.

The offices in Dunfermline and Perth will also stay where they are while in Dumfries, it will move 300 yards to 73/74 Whitesands.

'Social customers'

In the Hope Street case, the branch will move to a new site at 71 Port Dundas Road, which is said to be better positioned for the growing number of social customers in the area.

Area service manager Andy Bayfield said the change to partner-managed branches would help to safeguard the future of main Post Office services in the area.

"If we are to meet our aim of a healthy and accessible network, we need to look at ways we can improve our customer offer and manage our costs," he said.

"We know that some of our directly managed branches will be more successful if run as part of a mixed retail business."