Anger at Post Office change proposals

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Proposals to radically change the Post Office counter service at Pitteuchar and Thornton have been slammed by a local councillor.

Ross Vettraino says the changes would see a “serious deterioration” in the service to customers and is just a cost cutting measure that is “ill thought out”.

The proposed changes include replacing a dedicated postal counter with a single cashier operating at the main cash till area, removing the Parcel Force service and limiting the maximum deposit allowance to £1000, affecting businesses in the area. It’s understood the facility for businesses to bank cash without a barcode by using Transcash is to be removed.

The councillor has written to Anne Chalk, area manager for Post Office Ltd. voicing his disapproval.

“Much of the business that is conducted at the counter is of a sensitive and personal nature, customers certainly don’t want to conduct their private business in earshot of others,” said Mr Vettraino.

“By restricting deposits and reducing services customers are being inconvenienced by having to take their business into town and thus further undermining local neighbourhood centres such as Glamis Centre and Main Street in Thornton.”

The proposals also include extending Post Office hours at weekends, something Mr Vettraino says there is little desire for. Both the Gazette and Councillor Vettraino have been told that Post Office Ltd. will not respond to individual proposals - a move that has angered the councillor.

He said: “Their callous nature is nothing less than bad manners, especially as they have invited people to comment.”

[Lounge Lizard]

“Much of the business that is conducted at the counter is of a sensitive and personal nature"