Tain Post Office flit proposal prompts public concerns in community

CONCERNS are being voiced over the proposed move of a Ross-shire town’s post office to a phone and vape shop.

The Post Office announced earlier this week that it has started a period of consultation over the proposed move in Tain.

The flit would see a move from current premises on the High Street to The Phone Shop on the town’s Lamington Road.

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That has prompted a number of people locally to question whether the new location is appropriate - with some also suggesting that the period of consultation ahead of the planned move is meaningless.

We put the concerns to the Post Office which responded: “This is a proposed move for Tain Post Office, which is run by a temporary operator, to a new location with a permanent new postmaster.

“Post Offices successfully operate in a wide range of shops including phone shops, vape stores, newsagents and convenience stores.

“We have started a period of local public consultation until April 29. Feedback is important to us as it will help to inform our decision.”

Customers can share their views during the consultation online at postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 310840.

Submissions can also be made via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, by post to Freepost YOUR COMMENTS, or by telephone 03452 66 01 15 or Textphone 03457 22 33 55.

The current branch at 27 High Street, Tain, has been operated on the company’s behalf by a temporary postmaster.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “Whilst this arrangement has enabled us to maintain access to Post Office services to our customers in the area, we were looking for a permanent solution to safeguard service in the long run.”

The proposed new premises would undergo a refurbishment to incorporate Tain Post Office, the spokesperson said.

The new operator firmly believes that the move would help to secure continued access to Post Office services locally, as well as supporting the viability of their business.

There would be a designated Post Office serving point.

The opening hours would be Monday to Saturday: 9am – 6pm.

This would be 54 hours of Post Office service a week. This is an extra 19 hours of service a week including all-day Saturday, no lunchtime closing and later closing for customer convenience.

A number of people discussing the issue on local online notice boards have urged anyone who feels strongly about the issue to respond to the consultation and make their views known to the Post Office.

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