Local MSP Welcomes Temporary Home For Eastriggs Post Office But Vows To Continue To Fight For A Permanent Solution

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has welcomed the confirmation that a temporary, mobile service is to be provided when Eastriggs Post Office closes on 23 September.

However, the local politician has vowed to continue to fight for a more permanent solution for the town.

Eastriggs is one of four local branches which look set to close after CJ Lang confirmed those post offices will no longer operate out of their SPAR stores from August and September.

As of 24 September, a mobile service will operate from Melbourne Avenue, outside Spar, on Tuesdays between 2.15 and 4.15 pm and Fridays between 11.15 am and 1.15 pm.

Colin Smyth said: “I am pleased we now have confirmation of the arrangements for a temporary, mobile post office to provide services in Eastriggs when the existing service in the Spar shop is axed. Having discussed the need for the service with Post Office limited I’m pleased they have responded with this proposal but I will continue to fight for a long term solution.

“For the past couple of months, I have been working with local 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 a permanent solution.

“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 isn’t prepared to discuss changing their position so we now need to find alternatives.

“It is still early days but I am hopeful that we can find Eastriggs post office a new, permanent 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.”