Unannounced closure of Wishaw Post Office causes serious concern

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The unannounced closure of the Post Office at Wishaw has caused serious concern around the town.

The Wishaw Press was contacted by worried residents who travelled to the Post Office located inside Homestyle on Main Street, only to find it was shut.


And Motherwell and Wishaw MP Marion Fellows said she had also been contacted by people worried by the unexpected closure on Monday, July 23.

“The Post Office needs to provide answers and assurances that services will still be readily available in Wishaw,” Mrs Fellows said.

“I will be writing to the UK Government Ministers to demand that they provide these.

“The difficulties facing the Wishaw Post Office are the result of the UK Government’s privatisation regime of a valuable community asset that will impact local people and services.”

Mrs Fellows believes the Post Office branch must remain in the centre of Wishaw as it provides other valuable services for residents beside postage.

She added: “Pensioners and social security claimants will also be impacted as they often use the Post Office to make withdrawals.

“I am deeply concerned that this will affect footfall in the town centre.

“We need to ensure our high streets are thriving and meeting the needs of the community.”

Wishaw Councillor Angela Feeney also received calls from residents and feels there should have been more notice given that the service was being taken away so abruptly.

She said: “The people of Wishaw deserve better.

“Vital Post Office services have been removed without notification or explanation.

“I am seeking clarification from the Post Office and I have highlighted the issue with CWU. Sadly this is what happens when governments privatise public services.”

Councillor Fiona Fotheringham added: “I am extremely concerned regarding the closure of the Post Office in Wishaw, and have written on behalf of constituents expressing my concerns.

“A town the size of Wishaw, left without a local Post Office is a sad reflection of the recent Post Office privatisation.

“Constituents have already been vocal about the general drop in service and expertise.

“Access for the elderly and people with mobility issues in particular is a huge concern and needs to be addressed immediately.”


A Post Office spokesperson confirmed the branch closed temporarily at short notice on July 23 due to “operational reasons”.

He said: “We sincerely apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Wishaw Post Office.


“We understand and appreciate how much communities
rely on our services and we would like to reassure customers that the decision to suspend services at any of our branches is never taken lightly.

“We take very seriously any decision to temporarily close a branch, and will only do so when it is warranted.

“We are working hard to restore services for the community as quickly as possible.”

[fishtank]

A town the size of Wishaw, left without a local Post Office is a sad reflection of the recent Post Office privatisation.

Wishaw is just a sad reflection...end of.