Local Services Vital for Community

Alyn Smith MP has spoken out against the Post Office closure in Bridge of Allan, as hundreds of residents voiced their support for services to remain local.

The joint petition with Keith Brown MSP attracted over 700 responses, with only 2 participants stating they did not support post office provision remaining within Bridge of Allan. 99.73% of total respondents opposed the closure; 59.07% used the Post Office weekly and 27.75% monthly – and in total, only 7.42% used services once every 6 months or less frequently.

The closure of the Post Office comes as retailer McColls was bought over by supermarket chain Morrisons, leading to rationalisation of services. Mr Smith and Mr Brown reached out to the Post Office, the nearby Co-op supermarket and Stirling Council to explore future options, but to date a solution has not been forthcoming.

The news will come to a blow to local residents and businesses, especially as continuing economic pressures from high energy bills, the pandemic legacy and UK Government economic mismanagement results in further erosion of high streets across Scotland.

Local Stirling MP Alyn Smith said:

‘I’m extremely disappointed to see the closure go ahead, despite the community’s best efforts to help the Post Office see sense. An overwhelming number of respondents say they use services frequently, and the loss of the Bridge of Allan Post Office is the latest in a long line of service losses which only serve to erode fair and equal access to important amenities and facilities. 

‘I remain in close contact with key stakeholders, and of course have relayed the strength of local feeling to the corporate management team at the Post Office. I thank everyone who took the time to sign the petition, and will continue to work constructively with any group interested in restoring local postal services as soon as possible.’

Notes:

Attached is a letter from Alyn Smith MP to Stirling Council