Plans to close ‘vital’ Post Office branch branded ‘a mistake’

PLANS to close a ‘vital’ Post Office branch have been branded a “mistake” by the local MP.

We previously reported that Dalmuir Post Office in Clydebank will shut for good at 12.30pm on June 14 after the postmaster resigned.

Now, Douglas McAllister, MP for West Dunbartonshire, has criticised the proposal and is calling for the Post Office to reconsider the move.

Douglas McAllister MP (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “Closing this post office is a mistake, that will hurt the people of Dalmuir and the wider community, especially our most vulnerable residents.

“For many, the Post Office is more than just a place to send mail – it’s a hub for vital services, including pension collections, bill payments, and access to financial services.

“This is not just an inconvenience; for some, it’s a matter of accessibility. I have been contacted by local constituents and business owners who are deeply concerned about the impact this closure will have.”

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Dalmuir Post Office has served the local community for a number of years and is said to be a ‘lifeline for many’.

Douglas McAllister explained that he believes the closure will have ‘significant negative impacts’ on residents and local businesses.

The closure is said to come at a time when many people are reportedly already struggling to access local banking services due to the increased closure of bank branches.

If the Dalmuir branch shuts the nearest alternative is Clydebank Post Office, located within Clyde Shopping Centre, or Duntocher Post Office within the SPAR.

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The MP has written to the Royal Mail and Gareth Thomas MP, who is the UK Government’s parliamentary under-secretary of state for business and trade, urging them to reconsider the move.

He is also asking them to work with the community to find a ‘viable’ solution to make sure these essential services are continued.

The closure of Dalmuir Post Office comes a number of years after another branch in nearby Old Kilpatrick was shut in 2020.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “Dalmuir Post Office will regrettably be closing on Saturday, June 14 at 12.30pm due to the resignation of the postmaster.

“Alternative branches in the area are Duntocher and Clydebank. We want to thank the current postmistress for providing this service for nearly 15 years.

“The vacancy for this branch has been advertised over a period of time. Unfortunately, no replacement postmaster has been found to operate the service at this location or at a nearby location.

“We are still investigating to see if there are viable options available which will enable us to provide a Post Office service to the local community.”