MSP wants Grangemouth Spar store post office to return as 'soon as possible'

Mr MacDonald wrote to Post Office Ltd following its announcement at the start of the year its services would be "temporarily closed" at the Charlotte Dundas Court branch – located in the Spar store – from noon on February 6.

The Post Office stated: “Regrettably, following the resignation of the operator of the partner service and the withdrawal of the premises for Post Office use, the branch at 17 to 20 Charlotte Dundas Court, Grangemouth will be closing temporarily on Saturday, February 6 at noon.

“We would like to assure you we are working hard to keep any period of closure to a minimum and we are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community.”

Post Office stated the nearest branch following the closure is the one located in York Arcade, Grangemouth.

Mr MacDonald said: “We have seen a continuing trend of service withdrawal from our communities in recent years, and this is the latest blow to those reliant on services provided by the Post Office and other providers.“I am committed to ensuring these services are returned as soon as possible, and have offered my input into any discussions to bring this issue to a swift resolution. However, I have also been clear this is the latest in a line of issues faced by communities within my constituency, within the context of the pandemic.

“Continuation of these vital services are key to ensuring the conditions for recovery are as good as they can be as we move forward. I look forward to the Post Office resolving this situation, and keeping any impact on my constituents to an absolute minimum.”

Back in March 2019 Mr MacDonald stated it was “imperative” the UK Government ensured the Post Office, a publicly owned body, gets a “fair deal”.

At the time he added: “In many communities in my constituency of Falkirk East, and across the wider Falkirk district, the local Post Office is the last place where a face-to-face service is available, making it essential for people who live here.”