ARDROSSAN'S Westminster MP is seeking an urgent meeting with Post Office chiefs after it was revealed the post office in the town centre is set to close.
The Herald revealed yesterday that the Nisa Local store in Glasgow Street will shut their post office facilities in just a few weeks time.
The search is on to find a new postmaster, but in the meantime the only alternative Post Office in the town is the one located in Central Avenue.
Today, SNP MP Patricia Gibson told the Herald: "With the loss of banks across North Ayrshire, it is now alarming to see the loss of our post offices as well.
"Sadly, as our postmasters are now simply unable to make a living and soaring energy costs have caused additional strain on post offices, I fear our post offices are facing an existential crisis.
Read more: Shock as it's confirmed Ardrossan Post Office will close within weeks
"I have repeatedly urged the UK Government to extend ongoing support to post offices with energy costs to help them continue to serve our communities but so far such calls have been rejected.
"I will seek an urgent meeting with Post Office Ltd to discuss the ongoing challenges to our post office network and will continue to pursue the U.K. Government to act to save our post offices."
The Post Office counter in the store closed on Tuesday due to staffing issues.
It will remain shut for the rest of this week and over the Easter weekend, before reopening on Tuesday, April 11.
Just two weeks later, however, on April 25, the facility will close for good - though the Nisa store itself will remain open.
Commenting on the news, Katy Clark, Scottish Labour MSP for West Scotland, said: “This is worrying news for residents in Ardrossan, who will now be left with just one post office in the town.
“I’ll be writing to Post Office Ltd to see whether any actions can be taken to save the branch. I will also continue to call on the UK Government to provide the funding needed to support this important public service.
“It’s clear that staff retention is becoming more of an issue. Post office workers were on strike through much of last year for better pay and conditions. When you factor in high energy costs and the challenges caused by the pandemic, it’s sadly unsurprising that more postmasters are concluding that they can’t get by.”
A Post Office spokesperson confirmed: “Ardrossan Post Office has been short-term temporarily closed since Tuesday due to staffing issues. The branch is due to re-open on Tuesday, April 11.
"The Postmaster has resigned and the branch is now due to close on April 25.
"The vacancy is advertised on www.runapostoffice.co.uk. In the interim, alternative branches include Central Avenue and Saltcoats.”
The closing date for applications to run a new Post Office franchise in the town is September 30.
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