Is fate of Grangemouth post office sealed?

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The UK Government’s billion pound Post Office modernisation programme may have sealed the fate of one local branch.

According to East Falkirk MP Michael Connarty, the initiative to update the way post offices operate has the potential to lead to the closure of Grangemouth outlet in York Lane and the eventual death of the country’s entire sub postmaster network.

However, Post Office Ltd states the investment will secure the future of local post offices.

One of the major changes in the Network Transformation programme is postmasters no longer have a guaranteed income of around £10,000 a year.

Mr Connarty said: “The ‘modernisation’ has been analysed by the Sub-Postmasters and Postmistresses Association and it has concluded the new ‘non-salaried’ terms offered to its members, who must pay the costs of renting or buying their shop from commission only, is destroying the post office and sub-post office network by stealth.

“I cannot see the post office in Grangemouth surviving under these new terms of business.”

The Communication Workers Union shares Mr Connarty’s concerns and is currently balloting postmaster members to gather opinion on the proposals.

Grangemouth post office will soon be opening for longer, from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Saturdays, and undergoing refurbishment work to create four new serving positions to enable it to deliver Post Office products and services alongside retail transactions.

Anne Clarke, Post Office area manager, said: “We understand how important having a post office is to residents in Grangemouth and are confident the new branch will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.”

Grangemouth Post Office will be closed from February 1 to 11 for the refurbishment.