Future Of Historic Sanquhar Post Office Raised At Westminster

CONCERNS about the future of Sanquhar’s historic Post Office have been raised at Westminster.

Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell has asked the UK Business Secretary Alok Sharma to intervene to ensure the building and service remains in place.

As the world’s oldest operating post office, the High Street premises attract visitors from across the UK and overseas as well as providing an essential community service.

However, the delayed retirement of current owners, Nazra Alam and her husband Dr Manzoor Alam has led to uncertainty about the facility’s future.

The couple, who have run the service since 2015, have not yet been able to agree a sale or rental agreement for the business, premises and adjoining residential property.

In the House of Commons last week, Mr Mundell told the Minister: “Sanquhar in my constituency has the world’s oldest post office and that title derives from the fact that the post office has been on the same site for 300 years. 

“Will the Secretary of State confirm that, along with the Post Office, he will take every opportunity to keep the Post Office on that site”?

Mr Sharma replied: “I recognise the historic significance and the role of the post office in Sanquhar, and I thank all the staff who have kept it running over the years, particularly most recently through the covid pandemic.

“I very much hope that a long-term future for that post office can be secured.”