Outrage over shock post office closure

Dec 5 2008 by Kenneth Speirs, Paisley Daily Express

ANGRY pensioners last night demanded answers over the sudden closure of a busy Paisley post office.

The shutters came down at the post office in Skye Crescent, Glenburn, yesterday, meaning OAPs will now have to travel miles to collect pensions, send mail and pay bills.

Scott Matthew runs the premises, which includes the post office and his newsagents shop, and insists the credit crunch has left him with no alternative but to lock the doors.

Post Office bosses have been shocked by the move and admit they are unable to stop the closure.

Yesterday, a sign on the door told customers: ‘The shop and post office will close until further notice’.

And another sign read: ‘Closing down sale. Everything must go!’

Now gutted Glenburn residents are up in arms, claiming it is “tragic” their community post office has closed at such short notice.

Jessie Creighton, 71, who is a volunteer with the Glenburn Credit Union, told the Paisley Daily Express: “This is shocking. Imagine something like this happening to old folk just before Christmas.

“I pay my gas bill and council tax in that post office but now I’ll need to get the bus into the Piazza in Paisley town centre.

“I can use the buses okay but a lot of pensioners are not fit enough for that, so they’ll be stuck.”

Nancy Love, 51, who also helps out at Glenburn Credit Union, added: “It is tragic. I use the place on a regular basis to get money and pay bills.

“The closure will be detrimental to the area because we have enough places around here that are already closed.”

Steven Smith, 39, was at the post office to renew his car tax when he found out about the closure.

He said: “I think this is shocking. It’s a real slap in the face for Glenburn. The post office will really be missed around here.”

Sarah Currie, 32, a member of Glenburn Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, added: “I use the post office for paying bills and organising recorded deliveries and things like that.

“The place is always busy and older people and those who have disabilities will struggle to walk further to somewhere else.”

People in Glenburn have increasingly relied on the Skye Crescent post office following the closure of another branch in Braehead Road a few years ago.

Most customers only found out about the closure on Wednesday when a notice was stuck to the front door.

The post office ceased business yesterday, while the shutters on the newsagents shop will come down at 5.30pm today.

Mr Matthew, who also used to be the postmaster at the Skye Crescent business, has apologised for any inconvenience the closure will cause.

He told the Express: “It is to do with the credit crunch. The shop hasn’t been doing so well.”

A spokeswoman for Post Office Ltd said they were only informed about Mr Matthew’s plans this week.

She added: “Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond Post Office Ltd’s control, Skye Crescent Post Office will temporarily close.

“An internal investigation is ongoing and we are unable to comment further at this stage.

“Post Office Ltd would like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused and assure our customers that we will seek to resume the service as quickly as possible.”

The closure leaves Skye Crescent looking increasingly derelict, with the empty Costcutter store and other premises giving an air of doom and gloom.

Paisley South councillors Eddie Devine and George Adam both agree the sudden closure has come as a shock.

Labour man Mr Devine said: “It’s a big blow. The Skye Crescent Post Office was the one that was kept open when the branch in Braehead Road was closed during the last Post Office reorganisation.

“I want to know why it has closed so suddenly.”

Mr Adam, who represents the SNP, added: “This isn’t acceptable. I will do everything in my power to get something organised.”

Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP Douglas Alexander is also seeking answers about the closure.

He said: “I was very concerned to be told about the closure because of the worry and inconvenience it will cause to the residents – many of whom are elderly – who rely on this service.”