POSTAL PETITION . . . Councillor Richard Brodie, third right, and villagers are lobbying to keep Eastriggs Post Office at The Green
The Post Office announced last week that it is considering relocating its services from the branch at The Green to the Spar store in Melbourne Avenue, which would extend opening times by 74 hours.
But Annandale South councillor Richard Brodie says there is strong opposition in the community and that a public meeting will be held next week to gather views.
He said: “I have received an overwhelming number of complaints about the proposal for the removal of the Post Office from The Green to the Spar, which shows the depth of feeling against the change.
“This is no reflection on the shopworkers at Spar who always give a friendly, efficient service, but we have to think what is best for the township and those who use Post Office services.”
The Post Office is currently running a public consultation, which finishes on January 29, and any villagers seeking assistance to complete this are being urged to attend a public meeting at the Devil’s Porridge museum on Monday at 7 pm.
Objecting to the proposals, Councillor Brodie said: “In many people’s opinion, the move will not be in the best interests of Eastriggs. If the Post Office moves it really will be the end of The Green as a shopping area because there will be no footfall to encourage new businesses to open.”
“The drawbacks to the move are numerous with less parking, the loss of dedicated staff who have specific training in Post Office matters and a reduction of services available to business customers.
“Despite the extra opening hours at Spar, feedback from Gretna, where this has already gone ahead, is that people feel the service has diminished and that there is less privacy in the new arrangement.”
He acdded: “We face a difficult task to resist this change but if we stick together and provide fierce opposition then, if it is a real consultation, we have a chance of success.”
