Paisley's post office takes centre stage in County Square

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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County Square has been a meeting point for the people of Paisley since the days of public hangings.

But 100 years ago this week, a less dramatic event took place – the opening of the town’s new-look post office.

The official ceremony was presided over by Provost Muir MacKean, who, decked out in splendid robes, ‘magically’ declared the new building ‘open’.

As he pressed an electronic button, the large oak doors to the post office slid open, and the crowd, which numbered in excess of 200, let out a gasp!

Provost MacKean was followed into the building by a trail of local dignitaries and he showed the way to Buddies’ by posting the first letter at the new location.

As he popped the letter into a sack, he told the assembled throng: “You could say it’s a love letter, as it’s addressed to my dear wife, Mrs MacKean, Inverkar, Paisley!”

The Provost then intimated his desire to send the following telegram to the Postmaster-General in London.

It read: “This new office is indeed a handsome building and a great ornament to County Square. Our citizens very much appreciate this extended accommodation.”

Mr MacKean was then told by Miss Scott, the lady clerk on duty, that the charge for the telegram was 2s 8d (14p), and she gave change from a half sovereign.

The building included a 50-foot long desk, as well as a series of writing desks, each partitioned off and fitted with glass blotters.

All the woodwork in the office was American oak, fumed and wax-polished, while the walls were finished off with an eight-foot tiled dado in panels of antique tiles.

The building was assumed to be the finest post office in the west of Scotland, but didn’t come cheap. The total spent on the new-look facility was £13,500, and the chief contractor was a firm from London Road, in the east end of Glasgow.

There followed a procession of speeches and toasts, and just as proceedings were dying down for the evening, back came a reply from the Postmaster-General in London.

It read: ‘Provost Muir MacKean, Paisley: I am glad that the convenience of your citizens is being met, and the amenities of the town improved by the new post office. Herbert Samuel’.

[Lounge Lizard]

A bit slow getting this to us weren't you TBT ?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

[cinemasaint]

Now known as a pub called the last post.