A public consultation is currently ongoing to help decide the future of Craigneuk’s Post Office.
As part of the modernisation of the Post Office (PO) network residents in the area are currently being questioned on a possible relocation of their branch from Craigneuk Street to the Costcutters convenience store on Glencairn Avenue.
Scott Morrison has been postmaster at the current branch for 12 years but admits he is preparing himself for whatever the future holds.
If the 55-year-old does have to shut up shop, it will be the end of an era. His family has been responsible for running the branch since the early 1980s. Scott’s mum became the postmistress 40 years ago, and he started there in 2008.
According to Scott, his mum Christine Morrison had a “lively, outgoing and bubbly personality”, and was respected and embraced by the local community. Sadly, she passed away in 2010 following an illness.
“She enjoyed helping others and would always go that extra mile for her customers,” said Scott. “Craigneuk lost a gem.”
Following his mum’s death, Scott applied to become the branch's postmaster and he himself quickly became an integral part of the community and loved helping others, as his mum had done before him.
He believes his “approachable nature, banter and personality” made it easy for residents using Craigneuk PO to feel valued and comfortable. And of course there’s also an emotional tie, and like his mum before him, he cares about the local community.
During the Covid outbreak and lockdown he worked tirelessly 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, with the office remaining the hub of the community.
He is wise enough to realise that time doesn’t stand still and is ready for whatever decision is reached on the branch's future location.
With a very limited retail side – a small gift shop that couldn’t really continue under its own steam – Scott admits that, and a reduction in PO services, do have an effect on the sustainability of the branch in its current form.
He added: “For some time now, they have 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 as the UK Government has removed many of the services that were once provided, the most recent being the Post Office Card Account.
“I understand Post Office’s proposal and justification for relocation – achieving a seven-day service with increased hours, which I’m unable to provide. I’m prepared to accept the final decision whatever it may be.”
The public consultation runs until April 22 and customers can share their views at: postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 108855.
Submissions can also be made via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, by post to Freepost YOUR COMMENTS, or by calling 03452 660115, or Textphone 03457 223355.
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