Clarity needed over post office provision

Jackson Carlaw MSP has written to the Post Office to raise his concerns about the ongoing provision of Post Office services across the Eastwood constituency.

This follows an announcement from the Post Office that their outlet in Eaglesham is to temporarily close from September 2017 due to the retirement of the Postmaster.

In January 2017 the Busby Road Post Office, in Clarkston, suffered an armed robbery and it has been closed since then.

It has left residents forced to travel to the nearest Post Office in Netherlee or Newton Mearns.

The Eastwood MSP said: “The local Post Office remains a valuable community asset for many residents and especially the elderly who use it to draw their State Pension and pay bills.

“Overall Eastwood provision is suffering from the adverse impact of both a criminal act and the retirement of a Postmaster.

“From September 1 residents in Eaglesham will need to do what those in Clarkston already have to: travel to Netherlee or Newton Mearns to access Post Office counter services.

“This may not seem too far for those who have a car but it will adversely impact those who already are struggling and rely most on these basic services.

“We need clarity from the Post Office when and if the Clarkston Post Office is to reopen and how the recruitment of a new Postmaster is developing in Eaglesham forthwith.”