Four post office branches to shut

The consultation period for the closures ended in December

The fate of eight post offices in the Glasgow, Argyll and Bute and Stirling areas has been announced.

Four branches will shut, replacing four others which were originally earmarked for closure.

Branches at Pollokshaws, Stirling University, Clynder and Westmuir Street in Glasgow will close, bringing the total closures in the area to 44.

Branches in Cultenhove in Stirling, Auchenback in Barrhead, Kelvindale and Hyndland in Glasgow have been saved.

Post Office Limited said those four would be kept open as a result of feedback received during the consultation period, which ended in December.

The UK Government has laid out a criteria which has to be followed by the Post Office as it implements its closures plan.

The criteria stipulates that 99% of the population would retain their existing branch or live within a mile of an alternative after the closures.

The response was overwhelming, but it has been totally ignored Keith Brown Ochil MSP

Sally Buchanan, the network's development manager for Scotland, said: "These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly.

"We believe that the amended plan offers our customers in this area the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future, bearing in mind the UK Government's minimum access criteria and the other factors the UK Government has asked us to consider."

Keith Brown MSP, whose constituency covers the Stirling University branch, has described the decision as "appalling and ill thought through".

He said: "I cannot believe that the Post Office has not taken on board the responses they received from over 500 members of the community who regularly use this valuable resource. The response was overwhelming, but it has been totally ignored.

"I am proud to have been part of this fantastic campaign and I will continue to stand against any future closures in my constituency when Clackmannanshire's neck goes on the line in May."

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