A Strathaven business leader has urged the Post Office to work harder to ensure a service remains in the town centre.
Chairman of the town's Business Association, Les Hoggan, believes proposals to move the service to a petrol station are "totally unsuitable".
He was speaking after the Post Office announced a public consultation to move the branch from Green Street in the town centre to the Gulf petrol station on Hamilton Road as a local style branch, open 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 3pm on a Saturday.
Les told Lanarkshire Live : "In all honesty, it's difficult to see how this could work.
"And that's what I have been hearing from local businesses and residents.
"The Gulf petrol station is out of the town centre, it's not on a public transport route and it's a good 20/25 minute walk from the town centre - and that's only if you are fit and healthy enough to walk it.
"It will be really difficult for those who don't drive or the elderly to now get access to services.
"And for businesses as well, the Post Office is the only place they can do their banking in town, to deposit money and get change and alike. They would have to drive out of town and back every time they wanted to do their banking.
"More generally as well it will increase traffic volumes and queues in and around the petrol station - it's just not the right location for a Post Office."
Les' fears are echoed by local residents who say the proposals would make it difficult for those who don't drive or older, less mobile individuals to access vital services.
He also fears losing the Post Office from the town centre will have a "negative impact" on local businesses with a reduction in footfall.
"People who come in to the town centre to use the Post Office will more often than not use other businesses and services whilst they are there, but if the office isn't here they may well not come in at all," he went on.
Les also wants Post Office management to take more time to consider operators within the town centre or at its current location.
"There is no reason why someone couldn't take it over where it is," he added.
"The temporary postmaster has been there for four years now but the Post Office management don't seem to be willing to talk to others who would take in on."
Strathaven residents also raised fears on social media over the proposals.
One posted: "What about the elderly or disabled that can't get to the garage, Strathaven will soon have nothing left in it."
Another wrote: "This is nothing short of a disgrace. Strathaven has almost doubled in the last 30 to 40 years. And back then it had an actual post office with a sorting office."
And one woman added: "It would be a huge loss to the centre of the town and much more difficult for those with mobility issues/no transport to access PO services.
"It sounds like they are relocating to offer an increased service in terms of opening hours. Perhaps if another alternative within the centre was able to offer a suitable location and could meet their conditions, then the Post Office could remain in a more central spot."
Avondale Councillor Margaret Cooper said while she appreciated the Post Office’s commitment to Strathaven and the effort to find a long term location, she had serious concerns about what is being proposed.
“This branch serves a large community including nearby villages, which include many elderly people, not all of whom drive, and the proposed move would make it difficult or impossible for some of them to get to it, " said Councillor Cooper.
“I am calling on the Post Office to find a better solution that keeps this vital service at the heart of the community.”
The Post Office state on their consultation letter: "Our priority is to safeguard our services in the locality in the longer term and the relocation of Strathaven Post Office would enable us to maintain a Post Office service to our customers in the local community."
The consultation runs until December 13 and can be accessed via the website or emailing comments@postoffice.co.uk or calling 03452 66 01 15.
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