It was the end of an era in Craigneuk as the area’s stand-alone post office closed its doors for the final time.
The post office, which has been a fixture within the community for decades, has moved to the Costcutter convenience store in Glencairn Avenue, around a third of a mile away from its previous location.
Craigneuk Post Master Scott Morrison admitted he had mixed emotions about the closure especially as his mother Christine has been Post Mistress in Craigneuk from 1982 up until her death in 2010.
Scott told Lanarkshire Live : “We’ve had a family connection here for many years with my mum and then myself.
“There is a lot of ties there so there’s definitely mixed emotions.
“We knew there was a possibility of the Post Office being moved into a retail shop; I knew it was going to come.”
Scott’s mum Christine became Post Mistress of Craigneuk Post Office in 1982.
With her lively, outgoing and bubbly personality, she quickly became respected and was embraced by the local community.
Sadly, Christine became ill and passed away in March 2010.
Two years prior to her death, her son Scott, had started working there to help his mum where he could.
After his mum’s death, Scott then applied to Post Office and became Post Master of Craigneuk Post Office.
During the COVID outbreak, Scott was tireless in ensuring the office remained open to allow people to access a normal service, as well as receive the help and care they had become accustomed to, with the office remaining the hub of the community.
For some time now, Post Office has been relocating “stand alone” Post Offices into retail outlets as part of the modernisation of the network.
Stand-alone post offices are struggling to survive in this current climate without retail due to the UK Government removing many services that were once provided, the last being the Post Office Card Account.
Post Office have identified Costcutters convenience store in Glencairn Avenue, Craigneuk, for the relocation as part of this modernisation.
Although it’s an emotional time for Scott for many reasons, he understands Post Office’s proposal and justification for relocation, achieving a seven-day service with increased hours, which he is unable to provide
Scott added: “The Post Office has a Facebook page and when I put a post up saying what was happening I couldn’t believe the comments we had from members of the public, it was really overwhelming.”
Scott has also received messages of support from other organisations including groups and charities he has helped down the years.
Angela McCormack, from Marie Curie, said: “We would just like to thank Scott and the customers of Craigneuk Post Office for the wonderful support and generosity over the years. We are so grateful to Scott and his family for all their support.”
A Post Office spokeswoman confirmed the move to the Costcutter store, adding: “The opening hours will be Monday to Saturday: 9am-7pm; Sunday: 9am-5pm.
“This will be 68 hours of Post Office service a week. This will be an extra 26 hours of service a week including all-day Sunday and Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
“The branch will also stay open later every day. All of these changes will make it far more convenient to visit.
“We are confident that introducing a local-style branch alongside a successful retail store is the most effective way to safeguard sustainable Post Office services.”
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