New mobile post office labelled an ‘absolute shambles’

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A NEW mobile Post Office service at a north-east community has been labelled “an absolute shambles”, on only its second day in operation.

Rothienorman customers had to queue for up to 40 minutes when the service started on Monday, but yesterday the van left after just 20 minutes and before many residents had even arrived.

“The service only started this week, and it is already what we predicted it would be – completely inadequate,” said Fyvie, Rothie, Monquhitter Community Council chairwoman Marion Ewenson.

Villagers had campaigned against the closure of the local post office under last year’s review of postal services.

The Main Street office, which closed its doors at the weekend, was to be replaced by a service in the shop just across the street. After the arrangement fell through the Post Office announced a mobile service would instead provide a 12-hours-a-week mobile service alternative.

“What local people feared has happened.

“From 1921 until last weekend we had a perfectly good post office in the heart of Rothienorman, which could have been maintained in a community which is continuing to expand. It has gone and the mobile service replacing it is simply hopeless,” said Mrs Ewenson.

She said residents were unhappy at facing lengthy queues on Monday due to the small size of the vehicle, while yesterday local people turning up early were told the service was inoperative due to problems picking up a satellite signal to power its equipment.

No one from the Post Office was available for comment last night.