History for sale with Sanquhar post office

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The world’s oldest working post office is up for sale.

Part of Sanquhar’s history could be wiped out for good if a buyer isn’t found.

Current owners Richard and Penny Murphy took over in 2011. Yesterday, Mrs Murphy said: “We have been put in a position where we have got to consider ourselves.”

An ambitious plan by the community council to take over the running of the 302-year-old business fell through this week.

Members reluctantly decided that the personal commitments they would need to make would be too great.

Nithsdale Councillor and Sanquhar resident Jim Dempster said they had made a “valiant effort” to identify funding to take over but nobody would have expected them to make the personal commitments they would have had to.

He said: “Sanquhar takes great pride in having the oldest working post office in the world and if it does close, it would be a huge loss not only to local residents, but Dumfries and Galloway and the rest of the UK as that title is something that could never be regained.

“The post office is part of our historic heritage and is part of what makes Sanquhar special.

“As well as that, it has seen a lot of transformation over the years and it would be a real shame if it was to cease to function.

“And we wouldn’t want to lose a shop from our high street.

“It is a viable businesses and I sincerely hope someone takes it on at the existing site.”

If the post office does close, a post office in Stockholm would assume its title as world’s oldest.