South Scotland MSP renews call for permanent post office in Eastriggs

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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/loca ... l-25249741

Colin Smyth has urged local businesses to help out now that the village has to rely on a mobile post office that visits twice a week

A Dumfries based politician has again called for a permanent post office in Eastriggs.

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth renewed his move for a solution and urged local businesses to help out following the axing of four post offices in Spar stores in the region by owners CJ Lang.

A mobile service from a van is provided two days a week in Eastriggs but with limited opening hours.

The vehicle has been parked at Wayside car park on Tuesdays between 2.15pm and 4.15pm then on Friday mornings between 11.15am and 1.15pm.

But Mr Smyth has vowed to battle on for a fulltime post office.


He said: “While the mobile post office is currently providing services in Eastriggs, we really need a permanent solution.

“For the past couple of months, I have been working with local (Dumfries and Galloway) councillors, several local businesses and groups to find solutions to the Post Office closures in their areas.


“There have been a number of very positive responses in other areas but so far we still need businesses or organisations to come forward in the Eastriggs area with proposals for the long term.”

He added: “There is still a lot of anger over the decision by CJ Lang to pull the plug on these services in some of the Spar shops they own, especially given that these are all profitable, viable Post Office counters.

“However, CJ Lang are not prepared to discuss changing their position so we now need to find alternatives.

Politician steps up campaign to save closure threatened Dumfries and Galloway post offices

“I am hopeful that we can find Eastriggs post office a new home, or at the very least the Post Office will provide this outreach service on a long term basis.

“However, a lot of work still needs to be done and we need the help of local businesses and the community to ensure we don’t lose these services. This is particularly true in Eastriggs.

“Having a Post Office in the community is vital for so many of my constituents, particularly those who are older or people who can’t travel easily.”