The closure of Perth’s main post office appears inevitable, the staff union has conceded.
Following a six-week period of public consultation, the Post Office announced the timetable for the heavily-criticised relocation plan.
The South Street branch will close its doors on Wednesday February 19, with the new branch within WH Smith in the High Street open for business the next morning.
Although the 11 staff do not face compulsory redundancy, the union said it was unclear how many, if any, would choose to transfer to a new employer or be redeployed in the post office.
For its part, the Post Office claimed that not only would the move mean four and a half hours extra service a week plus Sunday opening, there would be improved accessibility and the same range of products and services.
A spokeswoman for the Communication Workers Union said the Perth staff would have a chance to vent their anger tomorrow afternoon when they go out on strike as part of a long-running dispute over the future of Crown Office branches.
“We are very concerned about the continuity of service for our customers,” she said.
“There is a lot of pressure on staff to take redundancy rather than move across. Our main concern is to support staff and guide them through the next steps.
“The only thing that would save the (Perth) office is if WH Smith pull out and it doesn’t look like they will do that.”
Roger Gale, Crown Network general manager, said: “We are committed to keeping a post office branch in Perth and to maintaining the same levels of service for our customers. We believe the best way for us to do this is to change the way we coperate the branch so, following the relocation, it will be run by WH Smith High Street Ltd, rather than by us directly.”
The new post office will have five serving positions following its move, in line with current and predicted levels of business. These will be a mixture of two screened and three open-plan counters. Under the proposals, the relocated Perth post office would offer the same range of products and services, with the exclusion of an external ATM.
MP Pete Wishart was unimpressed by the decision, saying: “The Post Office’s response to the consultation on their plans to close the Crown post office on South Street and enter into a franchise arrangement with WH Smith, is very disappointing indeed.
“While I welcome the fact that they have acted on concerns that were raised about various access issues, I do not accept that their plans are appropriate for the main post office in Perth city centre, and nor do the people of Perth.
“Profit is being put ahead of service and it is the customers who are losing out.”
Councillor Archie MacLellan said he made representations but these were unsuccessful.
He said his fears remained about the service for disabled people the area outside is pedestrianised with no vehicle access between 11am and 4pm and he wondered how much space there would be inside for wheelchair users to manoeuvre.
Job security also remains an issue for Mr MacLellan, who said: “I still have fears over potential job losses we can’t afford any more losses in Perth.”